Danny is at the table playing with small bits of colored paper, tissue paper, finger paint, glue, cardboard, and pasta shells: Early Years and Childhood Studies Case Study, UCC, Ireland

Case Study 1:

Danny is at the table playing with small bits of colored paper, tissue paper, finger paint, glue, cardboard, and pasta shells. He is playing by himself and appears to be creating a collage. He is gluing tissue to white paper and finger paint around the corners. With delight, he shows the staff in the pre-school room and says look ‘I made a frame’.

Case Study 2:

Molly is at the table playing and the Early year’s educator (Rose) is beside her. She has a piece of white paper, glue, scissors, and tissue paper. Rose tells her she has cut a basket from cardboard and Molly can make flowers for it (using the tissue paper). Rose shows Molly how to tear and scrunch the tissue properly. She then puts her hand over Molly’s hand and sticks the flowers on. Molly asks her “is this right” and Rose assures her it is. Once the basket is made, Rose praises Molly for doing it right and sticks it on the wall for the other staff to see.

1. Give an overview of the difference between the two art experiences described above

2. In what way (s) do the experiences described above support children’s learning and development

3. Creativity can be incorporated into both spontaneous and planned play activities. Give an overview of how you would promote creativity in one of the zones typically found in preschool for example tabletop area, the construction area, the home corner, the messy play area, etc. Your answer should make reference to the materials, equipment, and types of play experiences that could be incorporated.