Our world is changing at an incredible pace. It is filled with new knowledge and changing technology that challenges us everyday. For children to survive in this expanding world, they must become thinkers and problem-solvers.

This workshop will investigate new research and methods that demonstrate how to nurture the creative abilities of young children. It will focus on practical ways to design the environment, select activities, and involve children in thinking and solving problems that will prepare them to be successful in this “new” world.

Objectives
At the completion of this workshop, the participants will be able to:

• Understand why the development of creative thinking is essential for young children;
• Identify ways to design classrooms environments so that young children are challenged to think in new ways;
• Increase the opportunities for young children to use creative thinking in their programs;
• Understand how the arts (music, movement, visual art, drama) can nurture and inspire creativity;
• Generate plans, activities, and materials that can be used with young children to keep creativity alive and functioning effectively.

Outline

Day 1

• Why is creative thinking important in the 21’st Century?
• An investigation of the creative process: research and theory
• The impact of creative teachers on the development of young children
• Characteristics of creative children and adults
• Examining the experiences of creative people and their work
• What has been learned that can be used in early childhood classrooms?

Day 2

• How can early childhood environments nurture creativity?
• Providing options, choices, and learning centers
• Open-end questions, unique materials and active involvement
• Participation in experiences that demonstrate fluency, flexibility and original thinking
• Examining environments that have worked: visuals of early childhood classrooms and creative work of young children

Day 3

• How can the arts be used to develop creativity?
• The importance of the visual arts
• Music and movement can provide a vehicle for ideas
• Dramatic play and storytelling enrich the language connection
• Putting it all together in a wonderful classroom for young children and their teachers

Trainer’s Profile
Dr. Rebecca is professor of early childhood education at East Tennessee State University and Director of Tennessee’s Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Learning and Development.

She is the author of 9 books related to early childhood education including Creativity and the Arts with Young Children which is a textbook used by undergraduate and graduate students throughout the United States and Canada. Some of her other books include: Early Learning Environments that Work, Tell it Again, and Inclusive Learning Centers for Preschool Children.

She received her doctorate from the University of Tennessee and did post doctoral work at Harvard Institute on “Early Childhood Development” and Tuft’s University in the “Design of Early Childhood Environments”.

She has taught public school music K-6, gifted and talented children, preschoolers, and teachers. She is also a storyteller, musician, and creative teacher. She is dynamic speaker who has done presentations and training throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Denmark. Her workshops are informative, practical and enjoyable.

Methodology
This workshop will include lectures, discussion, stories, music, and audio visuals that demonstrate environments that challenge the creative thinking of both teachers and young children.

Target Audience
This workshop is designed for educators who work with early childhood and primary age children.

Duration: 3 days, 21 hours
Closing Date:  1 May 08