Research paper

Complete research on different learning and developmental theories and how these theories relate to creativity. You must include:

•An introduction and conclusion to your paper

•At least five learning and/or developmental theories in your research.

•At least five pages in length

•At least seven sources, are required. Use the Rubric to inform your paper's construction

•APA format and style

In this paper, you are to synthesize the information you have discovered and discuss why creativity is a cornerstone of early childhood education.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

1. The purpose of this assignment is to help you identify and articulate the ways in which creativity relates to learning theories. For this paper, you are to identify 5 learning and/or developmental theories. Don’t overthink your theorist, use what you know and are familiar with but think of it in new ways. How do Piaget’s stages for cognitive development connect to creativity? What about Vygotsky’s Zone for proximal development theory? What about Howard Gardener’s theory of multiple intelligences? In what way do you see Erickson’s stages for social-emotional development connect to what we discussed in the last weeks around messy play?

2. Feel comfortable to stretch a little bit. How do we see critical race theory connect to creativity? What does Mariana Souto-Manning, Janet Gonzalez Mena, Geneva Gray, or Gloria Ladson Billings have to say about how we might encourage or discourage creativity for children of color in our early childhood classrooms? How does the push back against standards fit with creativity? Ken Robinson and Alfie Kohn are two theorists that speak out about how the focus on standards is killing children’s creativity.

3. Additionally, include some of the creative people that inspire you and investigate the ways in which their creative process aligns with learning theory. Who is your favorite musical artist, artist, poet, writer, inventor, innovator, and what do they say about their creative process?

4. Remember – I want to hear YOUR words and YOUR thoughts. Limit the number of direct quotes you use in your paper, add real-life experiences if you have them that connect to what you learned and what you are writing. Start with a one-paragraph introduction and complete your paper with a one to two-paragraph conclusion. Your paper should be 5-7 pages long not including your reference list. You do not need a cover page for this paper.