Educators’ Beliefs about Creativity Development in Educational Setting

Abstract

The goal of the study was to identify educators’beliefs about creativity development of children andyouth in educational setting by applying the ExpertModel of Supporting Creativity. Research participantsincluded educators from preschools, primary schools,secondary schools and universities. Implicit theoriesof creativity questionnaire was administered, whileanswers to one question regarding the potential forcreativity development in educational settings wereanalyzed. Data were analyzed using thematic analysiswith a predefined coding scheme. Statisticallysignificant differences were identified in educators’beliefs about the contribution of educationalinstitutions in students’ creativity development.Preschool educators pointed to the contribution of thefree activities, educational climate, managingcreativity and partnership more frequently, whileuniversity educators pointed to the teaching activities,teachers and the study program. We discuss howeducators’ beliefs can be transformed to provide thefocus on developmental needs of children and youthduring their schooling.