Creativity can not thrive if children are constantly replicating a craft. Where a child may have had the opportunity to look at and explore materials in new and innovative ways, their thought process and creative thinking was halted because they have to “follow directions.” Something very interesting to consider : “In a longitudinal test of creative potential, a NASA study found that of 1,600 4- and 5-year-olds, 98 percent scored at “creative genius” level. Five years later, only 30 percent of the same group of children scored at the same level, and again, five years later, only 12 percent. When the same test was administered to adults, it was found that only two percent scored at this genius level. According to the study, our creativity is drained by our education. As we learn to excel at convergent thinking–or the ability to focus and hone our thoughts–we squash our instinct for divergent, or generative, thought.”

Let’s note, creativity is more than “fancy art.” Creative thinking is finding new and innovative purposes, uses, techniques, creations. It’s looking at something that may not work, and finding a way to make it work. It’s looking at something that may work well, and discovering a way to make it work better, etc. THIS type of thinking is what our future needs.

This resource explores the place of crafts in early years settings.

Skills You Gain From Let’s Unpack: CRAFTS!

Skill 1 : exploring crafts in the early years