CREATIVITY

Albert Einstein was a reasonably smart guy. No one taught him the theory of relativity. His many theories and the concepts he came up with were novel, different to anything which had come before. This was because he had the ability to think differently.

This does not just go for Einstein, but every good thinker who changes the world in big and small ways.

CREATIVE THINKING does not replace the teaching of knowledge. It gives us skills to use the knowledge we have gained. To think differently about the knowledge.

In essence this is what education is. It teaches us to THINK. Teaching CREATIVE THINKING is ‘just’ teaching children to think differently and to develop a way of thinking which enables them to come up with novel solutions to problems.

AT KIRSTENHOF PRIMARY WE HAVE MADE SOME ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT CREATIVITY:

• Creativity is an essential skill to succeed in a world of change.

• Everyone has the ability to be creative.

• Creativity can and must be taught.

• Creativity is the ability to think in a web-like manner and to make connections.

OUR CREATIVE THINKING CENTRE

At Kirstenhof Primary we have our very own Think Centre, an eclectic space that promotes creative thinking.

There are a number of programmes and staff members who fall under this banner.

• Building Blocks – Grade 1
• Creative Immersion – Grade 2-7
• Extension – 100 learners each term
• Educator Mentoring

In addition to these specific Creative Thinking programmes, the Educator Training Programme is constantly upskilling teachers around the theory of teaching CREATIVE THINKING and practical ways to use it in the classroom.