Strategy to promote creativity among young children launched

The strategy, by the network for creative early years professionals Earlyarts, details six “pillars” of good practice to help nurture creativity among young children.

These include ensuring early years professionals have access up-to-date research and evidence on child development and creativity, as well as the opportunity to take part in arts-based professional development.

The strategy suggests that early years professionals also need access to “powerful creative and cultural experiences that help to build their creative confidence, inspire ideas and unlock their own creative potential”, so that they can pass their learning onto children.

Forming partnerships with artists and other creative early years professionals is also important, as is a strong commitment from early years managers to promote the arts, and investment in high-quality art equipment and creative materials, says the strategy.
 
“Foundation years are crucial to good mental health, financial and emotional security, success and attainment later on in life,” it says.

“Children have a right and an entitlement to creative and cultural experiences throughout their lives, and especially when they are at their most vulnerable stages.”

Early arts director Ruth Churchill Dower said: " We know that creative environments can often be the key to unlocking children's potential, and it's the same for the adults who care for young children.

"Our National Strategy for Effective Practice gives us a strong and clear framework through which to achieve quality and partnership at a time of great challenge, and we look forward to building our future together as a result."