Culturally Relevant Classroom and Materials
Materials for children can include anything from everyday items, such as plastic containers or cartons, to dedicated toys and specific arts and crafts tools. The idea is to give children a broad range of stimulating and novel stuff to spark their creativity. Culturally relevant materials are defined as information that appeals to learners regardless of their cultural background; those include dolls, dress-up clothes, books, and musical instruments (Virtual Lab School, n.d.). Children should be able to recognize the data, and the materials should be a reflection of their lives. Regarding a culturally relevant classroom, firstly, it implies providing culturally relevant information that is labeled correctly, rotated regularly, and in line with the learning objectives. Secondly, it implies displaying children, their families, and the results of their creative work in the school spaces, demonstrating cultural diversity inclusion and motivating children to continue their efforts in the creative domain.
Playing Out Interests
The potential interest to be used as an example, in this case, is construction. Specific materials can include building blocks or LEGO and books with pictures of extraordinary and exciting structures. Such images can inspire children and widen their horizons regarding what is possible in the world. As a creative activity, kids can try constructing something from the mentioned blocks or specific toys on their own or together in teams to foster their communication and team-working skills. Children can be helped, guided, and offered ideas during this process through open-ended questions, discussions, and positive commentary. Moreover, learners can be stimulated to develop their problem-solving skills through the modeling of different situations. For instance, regarding construction, they may be asked how their strcutures will be used, how they will ensure comfort and livability, and why they chose one architectural style over the other.
Creativity: An Introduction
For this question, I choose to write about the introductory lesson on creativity in the area of “Know.” The three main points from this lesson and area are the definition of creativity, the importance of creativity, and creativity in preschoolers (Virtual Lab School, n.d.). Creativity is a hard to define concept, which can differ between interpretations. However, it is possible to say that this concept is a universal trait present in every person, including children. It can be manifested in dozens of ways, including art, problem-solving, innovation, leadership, music, and others. Creativity is essential as it allows people to obtain new experiences, overcome barriers, explore their surroundings, find new opportunities and develop (Virtual Lab School, n.d.). Creativity in preschoolers is expressed through wondering, self-expression, curiosity, and constant learning while interacting with the environment. Preschool years are a perfect time to develop one’s creativity through different sorts of activities, by learning new skills, socializing, and engaging with the environment.
One way I might apply this information to a preschool classroom is to perceive the children’s activities as manifestations of their creativity and support them. Any activity or object that becomes a focus of a child’s interest can stimulate their creativity and help them learn essential skills. Therefore, I will introduce a wide range of culturally relevant materials and activities to children to expand their choices, and then I will monitor their expressed interests. Those interests are to be supported and developed further through games, activities, verbal support, and different forms of encouragement, such as displaying children’s works in the school’s public spaces.
Reference
Virtual Lab School. (n.d.). Creative expression. Web.