Young Children'S Creative Thinking

Description: The importance of promoting young children's creative thinking, and the social relationships which support it, is now seen as a vital element of good early childhood practice. In this book, the authors push forward our understanding of what young children's creative thinking is, and how it promotes young children's well-being. By drawing on research evidence, they examine key issues from the perspectives of the child, the parents or carers and early childhood practitioners. Whilst exploring this theoretically complex area, the authors never lose sight of what is important in day to day practice and make links between theory and practice through discussion around case studies. The book is divided into three key parts: " creative thinking, social relationships and early childhood practice; " exploring perspectives in early childhood research; " experiences of young children, parents and practitioners. Chapters integrate practice, research and conceptual understanding to meet the needs of undergraduate and postgraduate students on any Early Childhood course.

Review: "Young Children's Creative Thinking' cleverly and creatively brings together an interplay of theory, research and practice to provide a fresh, yet penetrating perspective on young children's creative thinking in the context of their relationships with others. An essential read for all those who truly value young children's development!' - Dr Glenda Walsh, Principal Lecturer in Early Childhood Education, Stranmillis University College, Queen's University Belfast

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This book is a must for all those adults who engage daily with young children. The book encourages adults to consider their role in furthering children's creativity by developing connections between children's thinking and their social relationships. Considering current conceptualisations of creativity and the questions raised through the literature encourage all adults to work towards the promotion of children's creative thinking' - Anne Robertson, Primary PGCE Programme Leader, Institute of Education

Contents: Introduction - Hiroko Fumoto and Sue Robson PART ONE: CREATIVE THINKING, SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS AND EARLY CHILDHOOD PRACTICE What Do We Mean by Creativity and Creative Thinking? - David J. Hargreaves Creative Thinking in Early Childhood - Sue Robson Social Relationships in Early Childhood - Hiroko Fumoto and Sue Greenfield PART TWO: EXPLORING PERSPECTIVES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD RESEARCH Children's Voices: Young Children as Participants in Research - Sue Robson Involving Parents in Research - Sue Greenfield Researchers and Practitioners Collaborating on Research - Hiroko Fumoto PART THREE: EXPERIENCES OF YOUNG CHILDREN, PARENTS AND PRACTITIONERS Children's Experiences of Creative Thinking - Sue Robson Parents' Experiences of Supporting Children's Creative Thinking - Sue Greenfield Practitioners' Experience of Promoting Children's Creative Thinking - Hiroko Fumoto Conclusions: Towards Understanding Young Children's Creative Thinking - Hiroko Fumotom, Sue Robson, Sue Greenfield and David J. Hargreaves