In February 2010, Engine Room researchers Corey China and Denise Rocca - who both support the Creativity Matters project - were invited to speak at the Designing for Children Conference held in Mumbai, India at IIT Bombay. Corey and Denise presented a research paper based upon their work with Creativity Matters, titled Creativity Matters: Embedding Creative Practices in Early Years Education.

The paper discussed some of the key outcomes for children arising from the project, as well as tangible effects upon the Early Years environment. Among the 9 areas of children’s learning that the project has shown to foster – curiosity, confidence, independence as learners, problem solving, children’s ‘sense of community’, changes in children’s languages, children’s sense of identity and culture, children’s sense of space and children’s concentration within the learning environment – the paper provides an insight into creative approaches and their positive outcomes in the areas of ‘changes in children’s languages’ and ‘independence as learners’. Furthermore, the paper highlights Creativity Matters indirect impact upon the staff, the school and the wider community. The creative approach adopted in the project has provided an alternative way to view process, whether this is how to interpret and deliver the curriculum or how to conduct professional development for staff.

The conference brought together international and India-based teachers, designers, practitioners and researchers, and presentations ranged from toy and game design to storytelling, arts, and electronic and environmental concerns for children. It offered an insight into the interconnections between different disciplines when it comes to creating learning opportunities for Early Years.

It’s been a great pleasure to share practices with such a well represented range of professionals working toward the same goal. Creativity Matters’ approach to play and creativity has been enthusiastically received and it’s been truly inspiring for the researchers to share insights with like-minded professionals from all over the world that like us value the creative expression and the arts ideally suited to providing the means for children’s cultural citizenship and educational potential to be developed and extended.

For more on the conference visit the Designing for Children website.