Applying MacKinnon's 4Ps to foster creative thinking and creative behaviours in kindergarten children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify certain strategies and conditions that should be used by teachers in kindergarten so as to foster creative thinking and creative behaviours to children. We used a quasi-experimental research design for 6 months in a public kindergarten in a suburban area of Greece, and we developed a creative music and movement programme. The programme was based on the 4Ps of MacKinnon (press, product, process and personality). The experimental group participated in the creative programme 2–3 times a week, while the control group participated in the unstructured free-play setting. A total of 16 interventions were applied of 45–60 min each. The intervention was conducted by an external teacher, specialised in music and movement education, who was also the observer of the intervention. Double evaluation was applied in both groups, before and after the intervention, and the results were compared based on MacKinnon's approach. The results of the study showed that following MacKinnon's approach during the design of an educational programme could foster children's creativity.

Keywords:

• creative thinking
• creative behaviours
• MacKinnon's approach
• play
• music and movement