Creative development: Good thinking

Creativity is going on in ways that parents may not appreciate, says Penny Tassoni - but you can show them how to encourage it.

Creative development is one of those curriculum areas that everyone agrees is important, but at the same time is often marginalised especially once children get to school. While it forms part of the Foundation Stage curriculum, most teachers find that once children begin the National Curriculum, there is less time available for developing and nurturing children's self-expression.

In some ways the lack of emphasis on developing self-expression is very short sighted, because in a fast changing world, creativity is now more important than ever before. Employers are on the look-out for people who can think creatively to solve problems and take the initiative. 'We certainly recruit against the criteria of creativity, innovation and problem-solving,' explains Ruth Griffin, human resources manager for a well-known FTSE quoted company. 'We carry out a battery of psychometric tests which specifically look at these areas.' Creativity is not only in demand in the world of business but is also important for scientists and mathematicians. 'The leading scientists are always those who are not just competent, but who are creative in their thinking,' says Professor John Enderby, vice-president of the Royal Society, the UK's national academy for science. 'We should therefore be looking for ways to encourage children to explore and create.'