The importance of creativity in schools
I am passionate about promoting creativity in schools. It helps prepare young people for life and work in our ever-changing world.
It has been widely reported that 60% of children entering primary school now will have jobs that have not yet been invented. Maybe this is a bit of an exaggeration however we can’t deny that the world has changed a lot over the past 25 years. Whilst I was at school the first search engine was launched. Nowadays “google it” has become the automatic response if someone wants to know something and most recently “ask Alexa”.
The way people communicate has changed so much, I didn’t own a mobile phone until I left school and now, I can’t imagine life without it. Tablets, digital cameras and social media were introduced in the last 25 years and have completely transformed the way people connect with each other. This has all led to the creation of many new roles and careers.
How do you prepare schoolchildren for this and teach them those skills that enable them to flourish in these roles? This is why creativity is becoming increasingly important. It is not just about drawing, painting, playing music or acting. It is so much more…
Here are 12 reasons why we should be encouraging creativity in schools:
1. Creativity develops problem solving skills that can be used in other contexts
2. Creativity fosters independent thinking
3. Creativity inspires innovation
4. Creativity sparks imagination
5. Creativity can help children to express themselves
6. Creativity helps to improve their communication skills
7. Creativity allows pupils to be wrong and explore different solutions in a safe way
8. Creativity affirms self-belief
9. Creativity breeds flexibility and resilience
10. Creativity skills help motivate learners and be ambitious for change
11. Creativity nurtures children’s curiosity; to ask good questions and challenge assumptions
12. Creativity encourages children to dream and to raise their aspirations.
The creative process allows learners to not only generate and explore new ideas, but to evaluate and refine their best ideas to invent something new. It can be the key to unlock a student’s aspiration and attainment. It can engage, motivate and inspire, influencing their overall achievement.
If you’d like more information about what we do or would like to talk to school postcards about developing more creativity in your school, then drop us a line.
