How does creativity manifest itself in the experience of an infant?

Why is fostering creativity important?

Once children start elementary school they don't have as many opportunities to be creative at school as they are slowly taught to do things a certain way. If children believe they need to do things in a certain way, it stifles their ability to think for themselves and be innovative. Given these obstacles, how do we help children recognize that creativity is an innate quality within them so they keep wondering, exploring and innovating; having enjoyment of experiences, confidence in trying new things and in ways others perhaps would not think of; and approaching life with a more open mind, more skills to approach any situation in life, and the ability to find joy in the simple things. Creativity is is at the heart of all that will drive them down the road. -Compilation of reflections from parents    

Researching a definition for "creativity"

This video about creativity highlights a yearlong research project by a team of Infant teachers in collaboration with the Studio Specialist at Boulder Journey School. In addition to child observations and educator reflections, research was based on Internet-based searches, readings, TED talk viewings, and collaboration with families. The video is part of a larger presentation that was shared with over 300 educators at the Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference in Denver on March 1, 2013 and with over 200 educators at the Boulder Journey School Summer Conference on July 19, 2013.

Google Document Defining Creativity

“Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.” - Erich Fromm

As we research a definition for creativity, we continually add quotes, thoughts, and insights from our research (readings, the Internet, families, TED talks, etc.) to a google document from which we will generate themes. These themes will compose the definitions that guide our research with infants.

CLICK HERE to view and/or add to our ongoing collection of quotes, thoughts, and definitions for creativity...

Research Questions:
Click on highlighted questions below to view additional documentation.

How does creativity manifest itself in the experience of an infant?
How do infants, creativity, and technology play a part in our environment with our families? 
How can we use technology, photography specifically, to advocate for the infants and speak to their daily discoveries, experiences, and expressions of creativity in the classroom?  
What is the role of the teacher in creativity? How does a teacher’s perception of creativity and what is of value in terms of creativity influence creativity in the classroom?
How does creativity influence a child’s development? Is an infant’s creativity essential to his/her learning?
What can we do to tap into this ultra creative period, nourish this, and embrace its growth over time instead of supporting its depletion?
How can a better understanding of the infants' creative process affect staying power?  
How do the materials we offer and present to infants impact their creativity?

How we are currently defining creativity...

Desi - Room 2

Being creative doesn't just mean working with "art" materials. Creativity is broader and  encompasses so much more; such as how we engage and communicate with people, how we solve problems, etc...

Danielle - Room 3

The ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination.

Amanda - Room 2

Creativity is the ability to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others.

Fara - Room 3

Infancy is the most creative time in a human’s life! Creativity seems to be embedded in everything young children do. They try new things, act on original ideas, recognize and observe creative acts by others, problem solve, and build relationships all day every day. 

We compiled all of our research from readings, the Internet and families into a word cloud that generates a visual image of the words that appeared most frequently...

Resources related to "creativity" & "the creative process"
We are currently using the resources below to help us learn more about the meaning of creativity and to inform ourselves about what has already been written and researched on the topic of creativity and infants.

Do Schools Kill Creativity - Sir Ken Robinson

Your Elusive Creative Genius - Elizabeth Gilbert

Art and Creativity in Reggio Emilia: Exploring the Role and
Potential of Ateliers in Early Childhood Education

We are each reading a chapter from this book, written by Vea Vecchi, Atelierista, and Consultant for Publications and Exhibits, Reggio Children.

Tapping into our Parent Community

"Creativity is at the heart of all that will drive them down the road." - Room 2 Parent  

Families shared their thoughts on the following questions - What comes to mind when you think of creativity? What does creativity mean to you?
CLICK HERE to view and add to these responses

Families participated in a survey, designed to gather more specific information on the topic of infants and creativity, as well as to provoke families to discover their own creative capacities.
CLICK HERE to view the responses from the survey