Should We Be Focusing On Developing Creativity More Than Logic in Kids?

What is the right kind of curriculum to teach your kids in their early years? This is an ongoing debate and the answer to this question has evolved over the years. The issue is of obvious importance. Early academic years essentially lay the foundations for your child's lifelong learning as well as career choices in later years. So it is vitally important to get it just right. STEM has gained significant traction in recent years as the key to early education. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics tuition are all on the rise – these are the four essentials that are often touted as the key to preparing kids for a technology-centered age. These four subjects teach kids logical thinking and the ability to use logic in solving practical problems. But is logic alone enough to equip kids for their education and career ahead, and if not, what can early years childcare professionals do to bring some creativity to the table? Why is Logic not enough? There's no denying that we live in an age where technology, science and engineering are of more importance than ever before. Virtually every field of life has come to incorporate these tools. However, there is more to education than these tools. Logic alone can equip kids to solve problems but education must be more than mere problem-solving. Kids must also be taught to think originally, critically and innovatively. Even in creating novel technical discoveries and solutions, a person often needs to think outside of the box. Creativity fosters this mindset by giving students confidence in their ability to be original thinkers. A study shows that creative writing can help kids gain better confidence and organize their ideas more effectively. It can also help them interact with other people in a more fruitful way. The study shows the impact that a single form of creative tutoring, namely creative writing, can have on the learning process of kids. So it is essentially the tip of the iceberg. Imagine an early education that incorporates creative writing, painting, music, dance, construction and other forms of arts. This is where child-care professionals and Early Years Practitioners come in. Bringing Together Logic and Creativity Logic and creativity together form the perfect dynamic for the education of kids. Logic helps them grasp the fundamentals of the sciences, such as mathematics. Creativity enables them to be original and express themselves in a unique way. As childcare professionals and Early Years Practitioners, you can play a vital role in helping kids achieve this balance. By combining logical education with creative activities, you can help kids understand that logic and creativity truly belong together. You can also add more fun and color to their education this way. Such a holistic approach to the education of kids will essentially help them forge their own paths by developing original perspectives on things. Think Tesla and Einstein. Even breakthroughs and inventions in the realm of logic and science are a result of innovation combined with creativity. And it all begins with quality education, care and input from teachers and childcare professionals at an early age. Such care and input from a child's caregiver fosters the confidence and courage required to think outside of the box. Coupled with the right tools, this is precisely what prepares kids to become future innovators, inventors, scientists and leaders. So when we educate a child in not only the sciences but art as well, he or she is more likely to be a leader in their field thanks to their original thinking. There are many ways of incorporating creative arts and activities into a child's care regime or educational curriculum. As a childcare professional, you can explore creative writing, painting, music and dancing, storytelling and various other forms of creative arts. The great thing about creative education is that it doesn't require a definite environment or standard sets of tools. You can think up creative activities for the outdoors as well as the indoors and integrate them seamlessly into the regular childcare routine. The key is to find a form of creativity that truly interests the child and use that medium for education and creative discovery. Creating the right teachers for the job The right education begins with the right teachers. It's time that we revamped the STEM philosophy to incorporate arts and creativity in it. The first step towards this goal is to train early years' teachers to understand the significance of creativity and make it a part of their teaching process. Teachers in childcare settings can play a very significant role in fostering creativity among children. Childcare professionals can incorporate creative writing, painting, dance, music and various other forms of art in their work activities. There's already significant demand for teachers who offer STEAM education .i.e. education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. If you want to take your first steps towards helping the next generation of geniuses, you may want to check out some childcare courses. Written by Dom Gibson, the Educational Content Editor at Tutorful, the UK's largest tutoring marketplace, covering online and in-person lessons in over 300 academic subjects. He works with expert educators to find the most innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and shares his findings with high quality blogs across the web. You can find links to the the Tutorful blog, website and social media here.
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