Creative Development

Creativity is fundamental to successful learning.  Children can express themselves through creative activities and this is essential for the development of high self-esteem.  Creative children will make connections between one area of learning and another and in doing so extend their learning.  Creative development gives children the opportunity to respond to their individual ideas and feelings through a variety of experiences.  Aspects of creative development include art, music, dance, role play and imaginative play.

What does it mean?

Ascribing meaning to their work.

What does it mean?

Experimenting with different musical instruments. 

Creating movements in response to music.

What does it mean?

Assuming a role and playing co-operatively in role-play situations.

Using their imagination. Developing and communicating their ideas.

Making up and re-telling stories.

How do we achieve this in the nursery?

The staff provide a stimulating environment both inside and outside which allows the children to work creatively with confidence.

The staff give the children the time and space to explore a wide range of media and to express themselves in many and varied ways.

All the staff value the children's own ideas and believe that the process is more important than the finished product.

Here are just some of the ways

The staff encourage the children to paint on different surfaces and materials, e.g. easel, wall, table, wood, plaster, recycled materials.

The staff introduce new techniques e.g. splash and fold, roller painting, finger painting.

The children are encouraged to use lots of different tools for creative work. e.g. brushes, sponges, conkers, pencils, chalk, sellotape, glue.

Some More Ways

Staff often join in and support the role-play that is taking place.

The staff give children the opportunity to re-tell stories in a variety of ways, e.g. drama and puppets.

The staff set up imaginary play situations using props, dressing up clothes and 'small world' toys, e.g. castle, space ship nativity at Christmas.

The staff ensure that the children have access to materials from a wide range of cultures to inspire their imagination and creativity.

Some More Ways

Children have free regular access to musical instruments and the staff show them how they are played.

The staff lead structured music sessions, introducing musical concepts such as rhythm, pulse and pitch.

Some More Ways

The children regularly listen to different kinds of music, e.g. modern, jazz, salsa, children's songs in different languages.  They talk about how the music makes them feel.

The children can dress up in dancing clothes and shoes and the staff encourage them to make up their own dances. 

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