Did you know that creativity is considered to be the highest of the learning skills on Blooms Taxonomy?
Blooms Taxonomy is a classification system used in education to identify the different thinking and learning skills that may be drawn upon in a task / lesson / activity.
Here’s my own version of Bloom’s taxonomy – I’ve added in some of the ways how we practice each learner skill in my cookery and craft sessions.
Bloom’s taxonomy is organised on a hierarchical system; those at the bottom of the triangle are lower level tasks than those at the top. Sometimes it is necessary to be able to achieve those at the bottom before being able to attempt those at the top.
For example, in order to create something new, a child must solve problems. They will experiment to find out what works and what doesn’t. They will analyse other similar products to decide what works and what does not and they will apply both learned knowledge and new understanding to help make the new thing.
In being creative, we will learn by our mistakes. Mistake are an integral part of being creative.
To be creative, a child must not feel scared of failure, they must be up for a challenge and feel relaxed enough to be able to make mistakes and learn from them without fear of reprimand or feeling stupid.
So, being creative, although fun, and one of the most rewarding things one can be/do, is not an easy thing to achieve. It’s fun, but it’s also a journey. It’s also an elusive state of being that can only happen properly when the conditions are just right.
The environment must be accommodating, inspiring, relaxed, not too tidy (in my opinion – tidiness can kill creativity).
A starting point is useful – some raw materials, some imagery, a problem to be solved…
A creative person needs to be relaxed…. thoughts cannot flow when there is other stuff to worry about, or time is limited. Too many restrictions can stop the creative flow too.
Often the fun is in the process not the outcome.
I try to encourage creativity in my classes.
I like to think that my holiday clubs are the perfect opportunity to foster creativity.
We have long enough together that we do not need to rush from task to task.
Children can spend longer on tasks that capture their imagination. Although I might start with a suggestion of a possible outcome and certain materials will be provided, I allow children to follow the path that their creative journey takes them.
An example of this was over the summer, at our summer club when a wooden box (intended in my planning to become a mosaic decorated keepsake box) became a fabric embellished handbag.
Here is the handbag in progress…..
…Or in cookery lessons when weird and wonderful flavour and ingredient combinations are discovered to be amazing….or not!
One of my greatest joys is being privy to children’s creativity and watching it unfurl before me. I am always so taken by surprise at what the children make, and where their journey takes them. I feel honoured to be part of their journey.
I’m looking forward to see what happens at the Spring Cookery and craft club… I promise I’ll show you some pictures if you don’t manage to sign up to this one.
If you’d like to read more about my classes, or holiday clubs – read on here