Creative Development

Question

Creative Development

Zoe likes to pretend to be a cat. As you watch her you agree – she is a cat. She slides her body under tables and chairs in a very cat-like fashion.

She grooms her wrists and hands (or should I say paws) by licking them and rubbing them on her face.

When she has yoghurt Zoe sticks out her tongue and laps it up – just like a cat.

During circle time, while you were reading the Poop Book Zoe began to inform the other children about cat feces. You noted that she was very knowledgeable about this (she knew a lot of details.)

After one of the parents donated a bag of fabric you watched Zoe go through this – feeling the fabrics. After making her selection, you realize she was using the fabric to make a cat costume.

1. In your own words, summarize Zoe’s creativity using the information provided in the summary.
2. Understanding her level of creativity is important. Zoe can create her own costumes and she can create her own role plays. She won’t need you or the other educators to make her props to use; she can discover these herself. Acknowledge this and do the following: consider and identify two different ways you could enhance Zoe’s creativity? (Enhance, not repeat, what she already does.)

Answer 1

1. Summary of Zoe’s Creative Development

Zoe demonstrates a high level of creativity through sustained imaginative play and symbolic representation. She fully embodies the role of a cat, using her body, movement, and behavior to replicate feline actions such as crawling, grooming, and eating. Her play is detailed, consistent, and intentional.

Zoe also integrates knowledge-based creativity, as seen when she shares detailed information about cat feces during circle time. This shows that her imaginative play is supported by real-world knowledge and curiosity.

Additionally, Zoe independently selects materials to create a cat costume, demonstrating creativity through problem-solving, sensory exploration, and purposeful use of open-ended resources. Her play shows independence, planning, and a strong ability to transform everyday materials into meaningful props.

2. Ways to Enhance Zoe’s Creativity

Zoe shows advanced creative independence and does not require adult-led prop creation. To enhance (not repeat) her creativity, educators could:

a. Introduce New Perspectives or Challenges

Offer gentle prompts that extend her role play, such as asking how a cat might behave in different environments (e.g., at night, in the rain, or in a new home). This encourages deeper narrative development and flexible thinking.

b. Provide Cross-Disciplinary Connections

Incorporate opportunities for Zoe to explore related concepts, such as drawing or mapping where a cat might live, or exploring animal care through books or discussions. This supports creativity by connecting imaginative play with inquiry, literacy, and science.