Can Creativity be Nurtured in Young Children?

Abstract

Yes, certainly, it can be nurtured using the appropriate creative environment: (a) schools with continuous enrichment of their environment; (b) creative programmes for developing creative thinking; and (c) creative teachers and creative ways of teaching. It can be concluded then that interaction with the everyday creative environment, is the most powerful possibility of nurturing creativity in individuals, and especially in children.

The Influence of Teachers’ Creativity, Attitude and Commitment on Students’ Proficiency of the English Language

“…They pay lesser attention; give lesser encouragement and approval to creative students (Gatzeles & Jackson, 1962). All these discourage creativity (Hosseinee, 1997) and go against creative teaching method (Croply, 2001; Mellow, 1996). These points make it essential for conducting the educational programs for teachers to be clear and creative.…”

Analysis of Factors Influencing Creative Personality of Elementary School Students

“…Although the literature insisted student creativity is a matter of innate ability, talent, and capability (Moravcsik, 1981), others address creativity can be nurtured (Mellou, 1996;Torrance, 1972) and improved by adequate educational programs (Scott et al, 2004). Creativity might be educated and promoted as an outcome of science classes.…”

Entrepreneurial Creativity as Discovery and Exploitation of Business Opportunities

“…Having studied creative individuals, trait theorists have identified a host of traits that characterize them, including independence, diligence, originality, stubbornness, enthusiasm and openness to new ideas and experiences (see Mellou 1996). Trait theorists look upon creativity as a special mental capacity, stemming from certain personality traits.…”

“…Focusing on process models of creativity (Pesut 1990;Sapp 1992;Mellou 1996;Kirschenbaum 1998), cognitivists look on creativity as a mental process involving the generation of new ideas and concepts. Wallas (1926) suggested that the creative process comprises four stages: preparation, incubation, illumination and verification.…”

“…Broadly speaking, the creative process has been conceptualized as a cognitive event (Pesut 1990;Sapp 1992;Mellou 1996;Kirschenbaum 1998), which can be viewed in terms of its stages and its essence. The stages through which entrepreneurs progress in gradually giving a concrete form to their creative ideas are problem definition, information gathering, generation of solution alternatives, selection of a solution and creative outcome (e.g., Wallas 1926).…”