Promoting creativity in early childhood education

• We should motivate them to use hands-on learning (TC11). • We may ask children divergent questions and motivate them to think and develop their crea- tivity (TC7). • Asking them questions directed at their creativity while conducting activities in class (TC19). • We must present different stimulus to motivate the child (TC1). • It may be necessary to conduct different activities with children using different materials. Learning centres at nursery schools are in direct proportion with this topic (TC8). • We must respect children’s thoughts and ideas and pay attention to what they wish to do (TC13). Theme 3. Strategies for promoting creativity • The Thoughts of Preschool Teachers on the Third Theme Table 7 presents the strategies of preschool teachers for promoting creativity and creative thinking. It is observed that for the third theme the teachers mainly drew attention to the fol- lowing categories: a) Enabling the children to express themselves by asking open-ended questions b) Making use of art activities, and using activities different from standard ones c) Enabling the children to create authentic products by using different materials d) Enabling the students to express their emotions and thoughts individually during Turkish language classes e) Using structured and semi-structered activities f) Using different methods and techniques in activities Table 7. The strategies of preschool teachers for promoting creativity and creative thinking in the preschool stage. Theme 3: Strategies for Developing Creativity Subthemes Open-ended questions Breaking the mold

Creating authentic products Using different methods and techniques Drama and games Science and maths activities Outdoor activities Child yoga Motivating children to think Being a good observer Guiding students Music and rhythm activities Cooperation with families https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294915.t007 PLOS ONE Creativity in early childhood PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294915 December 6, 2023 13 / 21