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how is making
thinking?

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Who else thinks like this?

Fundamentally we are saying

The value of being creative, and of making things, developing imagination and originality is not only applicable to specially gifted people, it is of value to all - a natural part of our lives which needs to be cherished:

In childhood creativity is a means for understanding the world, for exploring thoughts and ideas, and ways of communicating these - all done through a process of manipulating materials, objects, words, numbers, sounds, shapes and colours, discovering their properties and possibilities, making different combinations, creating and changing structures and forms. Learning in its most diverse and natural way.

As an adult creativity is a form of active culture which defines us as human beings - it is an intensely satisfying sensation of producing something instead of only being a consumer, a means whereby individuals can express themselves, communicate to others to form interacting communities of people.

We have developed these ideas on the value of making over the past 15 years from our own observations when working with children on many creative projects. As part of this work we have been influenced by a wide range of people from scientists, engineers, artists, educators, philosophers, psychiatrists, historians, and craft makers of all kinds.

In our research for this project we have been inspired by finding so many people all over the world who are doing and making the most unexpected things. Projects which motivate children, and projects for personal interest, research projects, great videos & TV documentaries - developing our own personal appreciation of the serendipitous nature of the web.

So who are these people? What do they say?

We have already mentioned some interesting people in these pages, and in the last part of this section we include some more illustrative details of what they say about making, thinking and imagination.

who is this? >

Contains background biographies on people who have influenced this narrative on creativity.

resource links >
Includes direct links to inspirational and qualitative resources and websites.

The latest research

A major UK independent research report called the Cambridge Primary Review (publ. 2012) gathered together the latest thinking on all aspects of primary school education, to evaluate the suitability of current educational provisions and make proposals fit for the future. This review was highly critical of current practice and especially of the new Early Years Foundation Stages legislation. This is a major independent study aiming to influence policy and effect change - highlighting the need for a broader cultural and creative input to the curriculum.
resource link > The Cambridge Primary Review

what do we mean - thinking by making?

• there is special knowledge and understanding to be gained by making things

• childhood plays a vital part in this innovative process

a historical perspective

• evidence from the past

• art and decoration

• observation, trial and error

• origins of maths
• patterns and geometry

facing the future

• living in a digital age

• how can this be creative?

• new ways of thinking