Analysing creative contexts in preschool settings

The aim of the study is to develop an observation-led framework that can detect particular aspects of children's behaviour which may be related to creative thinking and to identify the key characteristics of learning environments that are more effective in promoting the development of creative abilities in preschool. The study is rooted in the research field on the promotion of children's creativity in the early years (Craft, 2006, Robson, 2014) and it is in continuity with a previous research carried out within the European project CREANET (Gariboldi, Catellani, 2013). The research explores such issues within a systemic perspective (Cziksentmihalyi, 1998) according to which "various elements of the overall social context are seen as relevant to the activity of creating" (Craft, 2001, p. 9). After the study of the literature, the key constructs identified will be discussed with all agents involved (teachers, pedagogical coordinators) through semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Subsequently, the observation-led framework developed will be validated by researchers through the analysis of video made in 20 preschools participants in a previous research project. The study is conducted within a participatory framework and all actors gave their consent to be involved in process of data generation and interpretation. Preliminary findings indicate the need to examine not only the features of the physical environment, but also to reflect on the quality of the processes that characterise creative contexts. The findings will be used to plan an educational tool to be adopted in the courses of teachers' professional development (initial and in-service)