Creativity in learning

Creativity In Learning
10 December ,2017


 Creativity learning can impact learning in many ways, it can improve engagement and concentration levels,  I have experienced and witnessed this myself when observing my child learn at home. When my child who is 4 does homework such as learning letters or numbers an ordinary approach usually ends in frustration and lack of concentration as she does not feel interested, however when we use a creative approach the learning feels less like learning but more  like a fun activity but with the same education outcome. Writing letters using play- dough or in mud, or instead of using maths on paper or in a book using objects to identify number created more of an interest and excitement in the learning.

Hicks(2015) believes that a specific skill can become dated and lack in value for the future where as the ability to be creative can be adaptable, the future is unpredictable for students due to social and economical changes, therefore the student will need to adapt to the changes using creative thought (Beghetto et al, 2015), it can provide not only a more interesting, attention grabbing for the student but more fun than standard paper work and paper assessment for the teacher, creativity is important as it can be used across the whole curriculum throughout different subjects promoting whole child development (Duffy  ,2010).creativity in learning can help a child recognise their potential and encourage them to try (Wilson,  2007). Wilson(2007) argues that for creative learning to have a positive impact on learning a true understanding of creativity is needed.



My daughters concentration seems to have a boost when introducing something she enjoys such as play dog into learning new sounds and letters, when asked to write  her first stage of sounds, ‘S’ ‘A’ ‘T’ Mila expressed she would prefer to play with her toys, when I suggested making them out of play doh, she was keen and interested.

These pictures of my daughter indicate that incorporating
 a little creativity into learning something simple such as letter formation can really engage the learner, making the task or activity enjoyable and feel less like traditional learning such as copying letters with pencil and paper. This approach is fun, flexible and transferable, for example the use of different materials to form letters and words can also stimulate creativity in subjects such as art and design, as the task becomes enjoyable and provides enriched learning, my daughter enjoys learning. Although I understand the importance of core content throughout primary education, having fun and being creative is just as important, as if the learner is having fun they will want to continue to learn.





There are many Other ways of incorporating creativity into classrooms, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8VyfmtOlgRg
This video shows how young learners use their own bodies to create and form letters, not only making learning for letters and the alphabet fun but also incorporating group work and physical activity, thus becoming a cross curricula activity.
I feel a creative approach to learning can promote independence, allowing a child to express themselves creatively, getting to know what they like and dislike can help them develop holistically throughout education, teachers must enable students to become independent (Featherstone, 2001)




Beghetto, R,A. et al (2015) Teaching for creativity in the common core classroom, Teachers College Press (Columbia University, Ny and Eurospan, London) Available at :http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjet.12347/abstract

Hicks, k.(2015) Why Creativity in the classroom matters more than ever. 17 March, available at:
http://www.edudemic.com/creativity-in-the-classroom/  , Accessed 03 December 2017.

Duffy, B. 2005, Using creativity and creative learning to enrich the lives of young children at the Thomas Coram Centre, available at: https://www.demos.co.uk/files/Born_Creative_-_web_-_final.pdf?1289392179. Accessed 03 December 2017.

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