Author: Richard, Nancy and Madeja, Stanley S.

Publication Year: 1973

Media Type: Report

Summary:

How can creativity be developed in children? Does their physical environment affect development of creativity? The psychological climate? Will a year of in-depth perceptual skills instruction lead children to apply their skills to thinking and acting creatively? What activities can be planned for them and what materials offered to further their creativity?

Abstract:

How can creativity be developed in children? Does their physical environment affect development of creativity? The psychological climate? Will a year of in-depth perceptual skills instruction lead children to apply their skills to thinking and acting creatively? What activities can be planned for them and what materials offered to further their creativity?

The Arts in General Education Project (AGE) of the JDR 3rd Fund and CEMREL cooperated to support a two-year project to investigate these questions. The project, an Experimental Kindergarten, was undertaken during the academic years 1969-70 and 1970-71.

One of the project's major premises was that the physical environment of the schoolroom itself does, indeed, have an effect on the learning of small children; the schoolroom may hinder or facilitate movement and creativity. The Experimental Kindergarten plan was influenced by the British Infant School model. This model stresses classroom centers of interest designed to facilitate exploration of materials and development of concepts. An important part of the Kindergarten's design was to create an environment which would present the children with tools for basic skills development and creative learning. (p. 3)

CONTENTS
Introduction.
An open environment.
Two years of operation.
The Aesthetic component.
Summary and concluding thoughts.
Appendix A: Extension to the kindergarten of EEC skills-development activities.
Appendix B: Breakdown of costs.
Appendix C: Parent-information forms.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Arts Education