Creative little scientists: enabling creativity through science and mathematics in preschool and first years of primary education

Abstract

The aim of this report is to provide a detailed analysis of evidence gathered through fieldwork in the nine European countries (Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Romania and the UK) participating in the Creative Little Scientists project. The Report builds on Country Reports (D4.3) that drew together data gathered from each partner country to examine and illustrate the potential for creativity and the role of inquiry in the classroom realities of preschool and early primary school science and mathematics education. It includes a selection of exemplary episodes of learning and teaching from each partner country illustrating the variety of approaches observed and the possibilities identified for creativity in early science and mathematics. Analysis of findings from fieldwork is grounded in concepts and synergies identified in the Conceptual Framework (D2.2) and operationalised in the List of Mapping and Comparison Factors (D3.1) developed previously in the project. Moreover, the contents of this report aim to complement those of the Report on Mapping and Comparing Recorded Practices (D3.2) and the Report on First Survey of School Practice (D3.3), previous project deliverables that addressed the same goals through the analysis of relevant policy records and teacher survey data respectively.