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Ruth Churchill Dower

Early childhood educators, special education professionals, cultural educators and artists will gain in-depth knowledge on how young children learn creatively and how to use different art forms, environments, techniques and resources to harness their artistic and creative potential.

The Creative Teacher programme is made up of eight separate courses, each of which can be watched as a stand-alone course or as part of the whole programme. It is recommended to watch at least the first course in addition to any other you choose if not purchasing the whole programme.

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Early childhood educators, special education professionals, cultural educators and artists will gain in-depth knowledge on how young children learn creatively and how to use different art forms, environments, techniques and resources to harness their artistic and creative potential.

The Creative Teacher programme is made up of eight separate courses, each of which can be watched as a stand-alone course or as part of the whole programme. It is recommended to watch at least the first course in addition to any other you choose if not purchasing the whole programme.

This is the FIRST course in the programme and sets out the foundations for nurturing young children's creative brains and bodies.

In this course you will learn:

  • Why creativity is so important in early education

  • How to develop a creative pedagogy in your setting

  • Deciding which art forms to focus on

  • A real world example of how to facilitate a child's exploration of colour

  • How to introduce new opportunities for expressive arts

  • Practical ideas for developing sensory, physical, cognitive and cultural creativity

  • The importance of open-ended resources and provocations

  • A personal story illustrating children's creative thinking

  • Further reading and resources to support you in developing a culture of creativity

Join me on this adventure and discover how to bring to life your own and your children’s awesome creative talents.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Understand the key benefits of creativity for young children and really bring them to life in your practice
Buildng a creative pedagogy
Which art forms should I choose?
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides practical ideas for developing sensory, physical, cognitive, and cultural creativity, which are essential for early childhood education
Explores the importance of open-ended resources and provocations, which can help educators foster creativity in young children
Recommends watching the first course in addition to any other chosen, suggesting a sequential learning approach that may benefit some learners
Teaches how to identify, measure, and extend children's creative brains and bodies, which is a valuable skill for educators
Focuses on nurturing young children's creative brains and bodies, which is a foundational aspect of early childhood development

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Reviews summary

Building foundational creative pedagogy for teachers

According to learners, this course offers a solid foundation and practical ideas for integrating creativity into early childhood education. Many found it inspiring and well-structured, providing actionable principles they could apply immediately. Students appreciated the focus on the importance of creativity and how to build a creative pedagogy. However, some reviewers noted that the content can feel too basic or general for more experienced educators seeking advanced techniques or in-depth strategies for specific contexts like special needs or different age groups. Despite this, it's widely seen as a valuable starting point, especially for those new to formal creative pedagogy.
Reviewers wished for additional materials or detail.
"I wish there were more in-depth examples or downloadable resources."
"Could benefit from more interactive elements."
"Expected more concrete strategies for different age groups or special needs."
"Some ideas felt obvious."
Serves well as an introductory overview.
"A good introduction to creative pedagogy. The content is relevant and the lecturer is passionate."
"It's okay as a starting point, but I expected more concrete strategies..."
"Good overview for beginners. Reaffirms the value of creativity."
"This course is great for anyone looking to start incorporating more creativity into their teaching."
Provides motivation and a strong base for creative teaching.
"It gave me so many practical ideas and reaffirmed why creativity is essential in early years. The lectures are engaging..."
"Absolutely loved this course! It provided a solid foundation and practical tools."
"Fantastic course! Recharged my perspective on teaching creativity. ... Inspiring, and well-delivered."
"Useful insights, particularly on integrating arts. The course reinforced my understanding of child-led creativity."
"Inspiring and practical! The focus on the child's perspective was powerful. Highly recommend."
Offers actionable tips and methods for classroom use.
"This course is excellent! It gave me so many practical ideas and reaffirmed why creativity is essential..."
"Absolutely loved this course! It provided a solid foundation and practical tools."
"Fantastic course! ... Practical, inspiring, and well-delivered. A must-do."
"Very clear and well-structured. The focus on practical ideas was great. I can apply these principles in my classroom right away."
May lack depth for those with prior experience.
"It's okay as a starting point, but I expected more concrete strategies for different age groups or special needs. Felt a bit too general..."
"Disappointed. Found the information superficial and mostly common sense if you have some experience."
"Expected more advanced techniques or research. Not worth the price for me."
"A bit basic for experienced teachers, but still some good reminders."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Creative Teacher 1: Building your creative pedagogy with these activities:
Review 'The Artful Parent'
Provide a foundation for understanding how to integrate art and creativity into early childhood education.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Artful Parent'.
  • Read the book, focusing on activities suitable for young children.
  • Note down ideas for incorporating these activities into your teaching.
Review 'Creative Block'
Equip yourself with strategies to overcome creative blocks and inspire children's artistic expression.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Creative Block'.
  • Read the book, focusing on exercises that can be adapted for children.
  • Experiment with the exercises yourself to understand their effectiveness.
Create a Sensory Art Activity Plan
Solidify understanding of sensory learning through the arts by designing a detailed activity plan.
Show steps
  • Choose a sensory art activity (e.g., finger painting, playdough).
  • Outline the materials needed and the steps involved.
  • Describe how the activity stimulates different senses.
  • Explain the learning objectives of the activity.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Peer Review of Creative Pedagogy Statements
Gain valuable feedback on your creative pedagogy statement and learn from the perspectives of others.
Show steps
  • Share your creative pedagogy statement with a peer.
  • Provide constructive feedback on your peer's statement.
  • Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each statement.
  • Revise your statement based on the feedback received.
Design an Open-Ended Resource Collection
Reinforce the importance of open-ended resources by curating a collection suitable for young children.
Show steps
  • Identify a variety of open-ended materials (e.g., loose parts, natural items).
  • Organize the materials into a visually appealing display.
  • Document the potential uses of each material.
Develop a Creative Pedagogy Statement
Articulate your personal philosophy on creative education and how you plan to implement it in your setting.
Show steps
  • Reflect on your beliefs about creativity and learning.
  • Research different creative pedagogies (e.g., Reggio Emilia, Waldorf).
  • Draft a statement outlining your approach to fostering creativity.
  • Revise and refine your statement based on feedback.
Presentation: Arts Integration in Curriculum
Synthesize course knowledge by creating a presentation on integrating arts into the curriculum.
Show steps
  • Research examples of arts integration in different subjects.
  • Develop a presentation outline with key points and visuals.
  • Practice delivering the presentation to a small audience.
  • Refine the presentation based on feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete The Creative Teacher 1: Building your creative pedagogy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Early Childhood Educator
Early childhood educators nurture and guide young children's development during their most formative years. This course may be useful in helping you to create a stimulating environment that fosters creativity and curiosity. This course focuses on how young children learn creatively. The course explores how to use different art forms, environments, techniques, and resources to harness their artistic and creative potential. Further, it sets out the foundations for nurturing young children's creative brains and bodies. The course's focus on developing a creative pedagogy can help you be successful as an Early Childhood Educator.
Special Education Teacher
Special education teachers provide tailored support and instruction to students with diverse learning needs. This course may be useful in helping you incorporate creative and engaging activities into your teaching strategies. The course content around identifying and extending children's creative brains and bodies directly applies to working with students who may learn differently. Learning how to develop the specific creative potential of children with special needs can help you be a successful Special Education Teacher. Additionally, the course's insights into sensory learning through the arts may be very beneficial.
Homeschool Teacher
Homeschool teachers provide personalized education to their children within a home environment. As a Homeschool Teacher, it may be helpful to build a creative pedagogy in your setting. This course may be useful in expanding your skills and knowledge in this very important aspect. The course can assist you in deciding which art forms to focus on, introducing new opportunities for expressive arts, and identifying and extending your child's creative abilities. The course can help you become a more effective Homeschool Teacher.
Arts and Crafts Teacher
Arts and crafts teachers ignite students' passion for artistic expression and provide them with the skills to bring their visions to life. This course may be useful in expanding your repertoire of techniques and inspiring new creative projects for your students. Knowing how to introduce arts ideas, techniques, and skills to children may be helpful, as may exposure to practical ideas for developing sensory, physical, cognitive, and cultural creativity. The course can help an Arts and Crafts Teacher to become more confident and effective.
Childcare Provider
Childcare providers offer care and supervision to children in various settings, such as daycare centers or private homes. The course may be useful in equipping you with ideas for incorporating creative activities into your daily routines. You may also find benefit in understanding how young children learn creatively. The course can help you learn different art forms, environments, techniques, and resources to harness their artistic and creative potential. A Childcare Provider who has taken this course may be more effective in their work.
Preschool Teacher
As a preschool teacher, you'll have the rewarding opportunity to shape young minds and foster a love of learning. This course may be useful to building a creative pedagogy within your classroom. The course can assist you in understanding the key benefits of creativity for young children and helps you really bring them to life in your practice. The course also covers introducing arts ideas, techniques, and skills to your children and guides you through sensory learning through the arts. Exploring which art forms to choose and learning how to identify, measure, and extend children's creative brains and bodies can help you be successful as a Preschool Teacher.
Camp Counselor
Camp counselors supervise and engage with children in a recreational setting, fostering a fun and memorable summer experience. As a Camp Counselor, developing some insights into teaching creatively may impact your ability to engage with the kids you are charged to watch. The course provides practical ideas for developing sensory, physical, cognitive, and cultural creativity. Learning about the importance of open-ended resources and provocations can help you unlock the children's awesome creative talents. Overall, this can help you become a more engaging and effective Camp Counselor.
Museum Educator
Museum educators design and deliver engaging programs that bring museum collections to life for visitors of all ages. As a Museum Educator, it may be helpful to understand how young children learn creatively. You may benefit from learning how to use different art forms, environments, techniques, and resources to harness their artistic and creative potential. This course focuses on developing sensory, physical, cognitive, and cultural creativity. Ultimately, the course can help a Museum Educator create more engaging and memorable experiences for children.
Youth Program Coordinator
Youth program coordinators plan and execute activities and events that support the positive development of young people. Developing a creative pedagogy within your program can be powerful. The course may be useful in providing you with the tools and insights to create enriching experiences that foster creativity and self-expression. The course touches on introducing arts ideas, techniques, and skills to children. It also considers identifying and extending children's creative brains and bodies. The course can help you be a more effective Youth Program Coordinator.
Educational Consultant
Educational consultants advise schools and organizations on best practices in teaching and learning. The course may be useful in enhancing your expertise in creative pedagogy and early childhood development. The course content on nurturing young children's creative brains and bodies, introducing expressive arts, and developing sensory, physical, cognitive, and cultural creativity can inform your recommendations and strategies. You will be a more versatile and informed Educational Consultant.
Children's Librarian
Children's librarians foster a love of reading and learning in young people by curating engaging collections and creating interactive programs. Introducing new opportunities for expressive arts in library programs can be helpful. This course may be useful in enhancing your ability to design and implement creative activities that promote literacy and imagination. The course also helps you develop sensory, physical, cognitive, and cultural creativity. The course's focus on open-ended resources and provocations can help you be successful as a Children's Librarian.
Art Therapist
Art therapists utilize creative methods to help individuals explore emotions, improve mental health, and cope with challenges. A master's degree, or higher, is typically required. As an Art Therapist, this course may be useful in expanding your knowledge of how young children learn creatively and express themselves through art. By learning how to nurture creativity and develop sensory, physical, cognitive, and cultural expression, you may become a more effective Art Therapist. The course's insights into the benefits of creativity for young children can be particularly valuable.
Elementary School Teacher
An elementary school teacher plays a vital role in shaping the foundation of a child's education. This course may be useful in helping you develop a more creative approach to your teaching methods. Building a creative pedagogy within the classroom can be helpful. The course may also help you understand why creativity is so important in early education. It also offers insights into deciding which art forms to focus on and introducing new opportunities for expressive arts. Developing sensory, physical, cognitive, and cultural creativity in your students can also help you be successful as an Elementary School Teacher.
Curriculum Developer
Curriculum developers design and create educational materials that align with learning objectives and engage students. The course may be useful in informing your approach to developing creative and innovative curricula. The course offers insights into how young children learn creatively and how to use different art forms and resources to harness their artistic and creative potential. This may also help you develop sensory, physical, cognitive, and cultural creativity. With this course's insights, you may become a more effective Curriculum Developer.
Play Therapist
Play therapists use play as a therapeutic tool to help children address emotional, social, and behavioral challenges. A master's degree, or higher, is typically required. This course may be useful in deepening your understanding of how children express themselves creatively. The course explores how integrating different art forms and sensory experiences may enhance your therapeutic interventions. Introducing arts ideas, techniques, and skills to children may be useful. This course may also touch on how to identify, measure, and extend children's creative brains and bodies. This can help you be a Play Therapist.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Creative Teacher 1: Building your creative pedagogy.
Provides practical ideas and inspiration for incorporating art and creativity into everyday family life. It offers simple, accessible projects and activities that align perfectly with the course's focus on nurturing young children's creative potential. It serves as a valuable resource for educators and parents seeking to foster a creative environment.
Offers practical advice and exercises from 50 successful artists to overcome creative blocks. While not specifically focused on early childhood education, it provides valuable insights into the creative process and can help teachers develop strategies to support children's creative exploration. It is more valuable as additional reading to help teachers overcome their own creative blocks.

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