Response Essay 1

EDUC 539
January 23, 2018
Jenna Graziadei
 Children are moldable such that as they absorb information from their environment and experiences,

their personalities, opinions, and interests take shape. It is within these opportunities that they learn to express

themselves in a variety of manners. Whether this is through writing, acting, or singing to name a few, a child

will find a manner of expression that truly resonates with them. For this to be possible, experiences with the

expressive arts must be consistent in- and outside of school. Teachers of the arts are not alone in this mission to

develop a generation of creative individuals. General education teachers can establish creative, open-minded,

and free classrooms in which the arts, such as music, art, and poetry are incorporated to grow the flexible,

young minds of the students. This is a critical concept to recall and reinforce in schools given the diversity in

our world. Setting goals to incorporate artistic means into the classroom will benefit the students greatly.

The way in which one designs the classroom is the first step that can be taken in making an effort to

guide the development of creativity in young children. One must “create a classroom that recognizes

creativity” (Clifford, 2012) through the design of awards, colorful bulletin boards, and other details that

establish a sense of openness. Beyond this, teaching strategies must be considered in order to optimize this

development of the students. Teaching must encompass the concept of “creative arts, media-oriented

programs” (Clifford, 2012), for example, that of Osborne-Parnes. This model requires mess-finding, fact-

finding, problem-finding, idea-finding, solution-finding, and acceptance-finding (Clifford, 2012). As a result,

the students have creative freedom within their learning. In everyday learning experiences in other subject

areas, lessons must provide students with the chance to explore, share and validate the creative thinking of each

other (Clifford, 2012), participate in collaborative problem solving (Clifford, 2012), and engage in

multidisciplinary activities, such as the study of geometry through art (Clifford, 2012). One can analyze music,

art, and other expressive means to discover the concepts incorporated into the masterpieces. This opens new

doors for teaching methods like music during transitions, or enhancing student choice through allowing them to

present their learning through drawings, or video recordings. A project could be designed around music during

which it would be listened to, the history would be studied, the science of musical sounds could be learned, the

mathematical calculations associated with music-writing could be analyzed, and one’s findings could be
explained in writing. These tactics allow the students to understand the key integrative aspects of the arts and

creativity into their daily lives. It reinforces purposefulness that is critical in their learning.

With a learning environment that is strong creativity-wise, the expressive arts can take on its influential

duties in guiding younger children. Art, music, dance, drama, and poetry, reinforce the concept of self-

expression (Malchiodi, 2014). “They stimulate and help children cultivate their abilities across virtually every

domain, and they are open-ended activities fostering flexibility of the mind” (Chen, 2016). To think flexibly in

their education is to evaluate, attempt, and design varying approaches to tasks. There is no one way that is right,

and through the expressive arts, rigidity in the thinking of the students can be avoided. This is the very essence

of creativity. “The creative arts not only cultivate children’s imaginations, so that they become more flexible

and inventive thinkers, but also help to develop their physical, emotional, and mental capabilities” (Chen,

2016). The arts can be an outlet. Educational opportunities must be available and encouraged during which the

students can learn to express themselves. When using one’s own mind, no child’s approach will be the same,

and this diversity is what will help the students develop creativity over time.

The expressive arts help students see the world from a new perspective. This is a perspective that is their

very own, but the arts have helped them express and become aware of. Through the opportunities that provide

children with such eye-opening experiences, flexibility results, and from that, creativity takes shape. For all of

this to be possible, the classroom must be conducive to the development of creativity. Music, art, and other

forms of expressive art can be incorporated into math, science, social studies, reading, and writing lessons on a

daily basis. The students will benefit from such integration such that the flexibility of the expressive arts can

reinforce the flexibility that is necessary within the other subject areas. Beyond the roots of learning is the

creative environment within which it takes place. Through colors, open spaces, and artistically organized

design, the sights amongst the students will encourage them to engage in behaviors associated with a creative

mindset. With these concepts in mind, the general education teacher can guide students to develop creativity as

they grow as learners. It is not the sole job of the expressive arts teachers. It is the work of all those who are

involved to use these areas of focus to positively influence the development of the children.
 Works Cited

Clifford, M. (2012, November 26). 30 Things You Can Do To Promote Creativity. Retrieved January 23, 2018,
from https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/30-things-you-can-do-to-promote-creativity-
in-your-classroom/

Malchiodi, C. (2014, June 30). Creative Arts Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy. Retrieved January 23, 2018,
from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/arts-and-health/201406/creative-arts-therapy-and-
expressive-arts-therapy

Chen, S. (2016, July 16). The Importance of Creative Arts in Early Childhood Education. Retrieved January 23,
2018, from https://novakdjokovicfoundation.org/importance-creative-arts-ece/