Creativity is a learned skill, not an innate characteristic. Curiosity fuels cognitive functioning and compels the mind to flourish. In child development, stimulating creativity through playful exploration can have a profound effect on learning.

Playful environments that fuel curiosity

Hands-on investigation – help learners take ownership of acquiring knowledge

Divergent and convergent approaches – generate useful ideas

Tinkering – embrace play that inspires curiosity and experimentation

Open-ended – ask questions that elicit multiple solutions rather than pushing child towards one answer

 

“Education is what people do to you, and learning is what you do to yourself.”

~Joi Ito, Director, MIT Media Lab, from Medium by Denys Kulyk, 9/17/17

 

 Prompts to encourage open-ended exploration

I notice…
I wonder…
Tell me more…

“Wh” questions: What, Where, When, Who, Which, Why, and How…
How did you…?
What would happen if…?

 

Traits of exploratory learning: CREATE

Child-directed – learner initiates activity rather than adult giving instruction to the child

Risk-friendly – optimum learning occurs when the learner feels safe, emotionally and physically

Exploratory – playful experimentation fosters cause-and-effect relationships

Active – body movement during learning boosts creativity

Take breaks – curiosity thrives with a restful brain

Exchange of ideas – build off ideas from others

 

Factors that influence creativity

Time available and location constraints – if less time is available, more structure is necessary

Structure – dependent on activity. Consider starting with a framework, then ease as exploration progresses

Goals and objectives – purpose of the activity will guide layout and structure options

Learning style – affects the amount of structure needed

 

The learner is always the center of exploratory learning: let the child lead and the adult be the assistant. Probe with open-ended questions that can lead to multiple solutions. Encourage experimentation and add challenge. Try changing materials to extend learning. Above all, make it fun!

Visit the Kidsblog School Readiness series for specific strategies to enrich children’s early learning.

 

Sources

Galinsky, Ellen. Mind In The Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs. 1st ed. New York: HarperCollins, 2010.

Regalla, Lisa. (2019, June 11). Exploratory Learning: Maximizing the Creative Potential of Your Library Program. Bay Area Discovery Museum, STEM Learning & Innovation [staff workshop] at Marin Makerspace.

 

Photo by Pragyan Bezbaruah from Pexels