031: Innovatively Creative: Creativity: a definition without borders

Dr Seuss

Creativity: it is one word with a whole bunch of meanings and interpretations, but what exactly does it mean? I believe this is a hard question to answer, because to me creativity requires a definition that has no borders. Creativity means so many things to so many different people. Being creative can involve producing a piece of art work for one person, where to another it could mean performing a dance, creating a new recipe, or acting in a play. I believe that creativity can be found in all aspects of life, and to each person creativity means and produces something different.

So, where does all of this creativity come from? The inspiration for creation can come from within ones self, or from the environment around us. Inspiration, much like creation, is defined by the individual. Every person can find inspiration in their life, but how it is found, and whether the inspiration is harnessed to create depends on the person. I personally feel inspired every day through many different forms: I can feel inspired during a scenic car ride through nature, or after watching a moving film. I can become inspired simply through witnessing another person becoming inspired.

Picture by Me

Lately though, I feel myself become most inspired through interactions with my one-year old niece Aaliyah. Watching her take her first steps, say her first words, and learn new tricks (like clapping), opens my eyes to the miracles of life that we witness every day. Watching my little niece struggle to pull herself up onto the couch, or crawl down the stairs makes me realize that we have the ability to accomplish so many things. We have the ability to creative and produce things that may at first seem impossible. In only one year I have watched a little 7 pound blob, barely able to move, become this little human being who can walk, crawl, laugh and talk. Just knowing and loving Aaliyah has inspired me to create things that I never thought I could do, like designing her new little bedroom. Spending weekends searching for furniture and artwork for her bedroom is not something I had imagined myself doing, but through knowing her, it is now something that I have been inspired to accomplish.

Inspiration and Creation is different for each person but can be found in every person. All you need to do is look for the things that inspire you, and use that inspiration to create things that you find meaningful. Learning and understanding the importance of creativity is important for early childhood educations, because it is important to inspire children to learn about theirselves and their environment through exploring and creating. Allowing children the ability to be creative in many different ways creates a variety of learning experiences in all areas and domains of development.