Creativity and curiosity in early childhood

Has your child ever turned an empty box into a car, a house, a hat or a rocket ship?

Has your child ever turned an empty box into a car, a house, a hat or a rocket ship? That’s their creativity in action.

Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the Reggio Emilia philosophy, said, “Children have 100 languages, but we steal 99.” He wrote the poem “The Hundred Languages of Children,” describing all the ways children express themselves: through drawing, dancing, playing and more. According to Malaguzzi, children have a hundred ways to think, express themselves and say what they want. As a metaphor, it means your child has countless ways to show you what they feel, think or imagine. That’s why it’s so important to value all these languages, which are deeply connected to creativity and curiosity, and help them grow.

When we talk about creativity, we mean any idea, action or object that changes something that already exists or transforms it into something new. It’s something everyone can develop, not just those with artistic talent, because it’s a human way of expressing ourselves. So, pay close attention to what your child is telling you when they play, pretend, draw or talk to you.

Creativity doesn’t come alone—it’s powered by curiosity. Have you noticed how your child stares at certain objects? Their mind is full of questions: What happens if I press this button? Why does the blender make noise? What if I pull the tablecloth? When your child starts exploring the world around them, they want to know how things work, why they’re different sizes, what happens if routines change. That’s curiosity—the drive to know, understand and solve questions. And you’ve probably noticed your child is curious about almost everything, asking “why, why, why” all day long.

Questions help us start conversations, learn how others think and build closer bonds. Curiosity shows up in many ways. Sometimes, your child explores by watching something and wanting to know how it works, what it’s for or what happens if it breaks. Other times, it’s through questions. If your child is in the “why” stage—usually between ages three and four—remember, all they want is to understand their world and start a conversation with you, their trusted adult.

Curiosity sparks creativity, but sometimes children don’t take the next step to create. Creating takes courage, so here are some tips to help your child grow their creativity.

Creativity loves: Relaxing moments, like taking a bath, listening to soft music or going for a short walk—these help the mind connect ideas. Switching activities regularly, having flexible routines with varied activities and not doing the same thing for too long. If you follow these two tips, creativity comes more easily. You can use them at work or during your day—find moments to slow down, take a breath and change activities from time to time. This also helps you get creative with your child, finding new ways to play or support their growth.

Here are some simple ways to spark creativity and curiosity in your child: Do activities they enjoy, like drawing, dancing or playing their favourite game. Put on music, explore different rhythms and genres, invent fun dance moves. Set up an inspiration space at home with simple materials in different shapes, colours and textures, or a box with things like play dough, crayons, markers, building blocks, fabric, lids and more. Enjoy free play—let them explore on their own and answer their questions through what they do. Try new things, like visiting new places, tasting new foods or changing routines. If you’re in the “why” stage, instead of giving an answer, ask another question: What do you think it is? How do you think it works?

Creativity is a key 21st-century skill, part of the Inter-American Development Bank’s initiative to build better citizens. It makes problem-solving easier and helps us see the world from different perspectives.

Our students learn through curiosity and exploration. We know students have many ways to express themselves, and understanding them is essential for teaching and learning. Thanks to the teaching methods we use, students feel confident to ask questions and explore. That’s how they build their own learning and grow their creativity and curiosity in a safe, caring and fun environment.