Creativity in Early Childhood Art in Ibadan, Oyo State of Western, Nigeria: A Developmental and Contextual Approach

This article delves into the magic of children’s art creativity, exploring how children’s imagination sparks creativity and innovation. Creativity is a vital aspect of human development and early childhood is a critical period for fostering creative potential. Art-making is a universal language that allows children express their thoughts, ideas and emotions. Kellog’s (1967) theory of childhood artistic creativity is a unique language of communication conveying thoughts, feelings and experience. Eisner (1972) theory of nursery art emphasises the creative expression in children. The paper explores the developmental stages of children's artistic development and the contextual factors that influence their creative expression. It is argued that a holistic and child-centred approach is essential for assessing creativity in early childhood art. The research highlights the importance of process over product, open-ended questions, observation, and authentic assessment methods. We also emphasise the need to consider contextual factors such as environment, culture, and socio-economic background. The findings of this study have implications for early childhood educators, policymakers, and researchers seeking to foster creative development in young children.