How could Creativity potentially impact on Primary Education?


How could creativity potentially impact on primary education?


Creativity is a valuable and beneficial learning tool for every child and teacher in an educational environment. Creativity can be defined as putting your imagination to work or as a dynamic process of having original ideas that have value.’ (The Guardian, 2013) There are two perceptions to creativity which are imagination and innovation. Imagination is ‘the root of creativity, the ability to bring to mind things that aren’t present to our senses’ whilst innovation is ‘putting new ideas into practice.’ (Robinson, 2015). Creativity within a primary setting is usually encouraged by a teacher who provides thought-provoking and exciting material to kick start their imagination.

It is important to incorporate creativity within primary education as it promotes key qualities such as freedom, expression, experimentation, individuality and teamwork. However, Michael Gove, former Secretary of State of Education, believes that before a child can start to be creative it is important that the children learns the foundations before they can start to make an impact on their education. (The Guardian, 2013)

The origins of creativity in education is thought to have been first impacted by the Plowden Report in 1967. The report stated the need for children to experience a different approach to learning which was by discovery and exploration. It made such an impression that it promoted originality in primary education.  Moreover, in the late 90s where there was a great interest in psychology and education schools began to support creative thinking more as results portrayed positive benefits towards children’s learning. Additionally, the third upsurge of creativity in primary education rose more in the 21st century where it was considered necessary for children to think imaginatively. (Wilson, 2015, pg.7)

Creativity can be taught best when a teacher makes learning interesting, effective and uses imaginative approaches within the primary classroom. The national advisory committee on creative and cultural education suggested that the first task of teaching a child to be creative is encouraging ‘young people to believe in their creative potential, to engage their senses of possibility and give them the confidence to try.' It believed that there is no right or wrong way to teach creativity within a classroom it is down to using strategies to promote creative thinking but also skills which can be applied to different situations. (Wilson, 2015)

Fascinatingly, beyond the UK it seems that there has been a drive in promoting creativity as in China it has been a part of their education since 2001 but has progressed and is becoming more of a priority. In the Netherlands ‘one of the principals on which primary education is based is creative development.’ (Shaheen, 2010) It can be concluded that for ‘developing countries creativity remains neglected, whereas developed countries rely on student’s enhancement of creativity. (Shaheen, 2010)

Originality and creativity can be promoted within a school setting in primary education in different ways. It can be encouraged through well thought out lesson plans and activities during the school day. It can be encouraged through open ended projects which allows children to be given the chance to explore and present things in their own way. They can explore in areas which they feel passionate about and would be more involved in the information.
To conclude, creativity can make an impact on primary education as it impacts how children learn, how teachers teach, and the learning styles and approaches used.   


References:
Robinson, K., Aronica, L. (2015) Creative Schools. Viking.
Shaheen, R. (2010) ‘Creativity and Education: Creative education.’, 1(3), pp.166-169. doi:10.4236/13026.
The Guardian (2013) To encourage creativity, Mr Gove, you must first understand what it is: creativity in the classroom. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/may/17/to-encourage-creativity-mr-gove-understand (Accessed: 27/11/17)

Wilson, A. (2015) Creativity in Primary Education. 3rd Edn. Learning Matters. 

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