Pre-service and in-service preschool teachers' views regarding creativity in early childhood education

Abstract

This research investigated the views of pre-service and in-service preschool teachers concerning the developing of children's creativity in early childhood education by determining the similarities and/or differences among their views. The data were gathered from 10 pre-service and 11 in-service teachers through focus group meetings, and then from the participants' views four basic themes were constituted consisting of their opinions on ‘creativity’, ‘creative people’, ‘importance of creativity in early childhood education’, and ‘obstacles to creativity in early childhood education’. The findings indicated that although the subjects had their own creativity definitions, they also had some common ideas. The subjects also shared their ideas about some of the essential characteristics of creative individuals. Furthermore, although the participants were aware of the value of creativity for young children's development and the need to implement activities that would nurture children's creativity, they still face many obstacles preventing them from achieving this crucial goal.

Keywords:

• creativity
• early childhood education
• in-service teachers
• pre-service teachers
• teachers' views

Notes on contributors

Simge Alkus¸ is a research assistant in Elementary Education at Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey. Her research interests include creativity in early childhood education, environmental education in early childhood education, and environmental preference.

Refika Olgan is an assistant professor in Elementary Education at Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey. Her research interests include science education in the early years, environmental education, and assessment in early childhood education.