Curiosity‐exploration‐play‐creativity: The early childhood mosaic

Abstract

In early child care settings, creative play is often used as behavioral evidence of quality programs. Yet, a detailed consideration of behavior which eventually results in creative child play is often lacking in training programs. The authors present a model which stresses the importance of teacher support for four levels of the “early childhood mosaic” ‐‐ curiosity, exploration, play and creativity. Specific examples of child behaviors and appropriate teacher responses at each level are given.