Creativity, defined as the ability to generate novel and valuable ideas, plays a crucial role in cognitive, social and emotional development in children. Brain development, particularly during the early years, provides the foundation for the emergence and nurturing of a wide variety of creative abilities.
Young children's brains are amazing, the reason why children learn through experience is because the young brain is highly adaptable and capable of forming new connections in response to different experiences and stimuli. Children are making new connections with every bit of knowledge they take in.
Given the impact the brain that these early experiences have, it is not surprising that several studies have uncovered significant long-term impacts of creative environments. They highlight how creative activities can lead to the formation of well-rounded personalities, good attachment, self-esteem and better mental health.
Research also shows how some musical approaches can activate the same areas of the brain that are activated during mathematical processing. It appears that early musical training begins to build the same neural networks that are later used for numerical tasks. In fact, a large body of evidence suggests that music-making in childhood can aid the development of language learning as well as musical behaviour.
In the same way drama and role play can stimulate the same synapses that focus on spoken language; painting can stimulate the visual processing system that recalls memory or creates fantasy; movement, drawing and clay modelling link to the development of gross and fine motor skills.
Creativity also often involves divergent thinking, the ability to generate multiple solutions to a problem or explore multiple perspectives. Studies have shown that children exhibit high levels of divergent thinking, suggesting that their brains are naturally inclined towards creative exploration and problem-solving.
Creative expression is closely linked to emotional regulation and self-expression. As the brain develops, children learn to regulate their emotions and express themselves creatively through art, music, storytelling, and other forms of expression.
In conclusion, the research suggests that educational practices that encourage exploration, experimentation, and open-ended problem-solving can promote creativity and support healthy brain development. Encouraging children to ask questions, explore their interests, and think critically fosters creativity and enhances neural connections associated with creative thinking.