Top tips: Process over product

We often praise the finished picture, model or block tower, but it’s the thinking and the changing ideas that builds real creative confidence. When we focus on the process rather than the product, children learn that ideas are worth exploring and testing and above all, valued. When engaged in creative activities with the children, keep these top tips in mind:

Top tips for process over product

1. Resist the urge to ask, “What is it?” Instead ask, “What are you doing?” or “What are you noticing?” 
2. Let ‘mistakes’ stay. Avoid stepping in to fix or amend 
3. Praise the effort during the process, for example, “You kept trying different ways to stick those together” 
4. Offer open-ended materials. Loose parts and recyclables invite exploration 
5. Slow down the pace. Give children time to think, stare, restart, or abandon an idea altogether 
6. Capture the process of creativity with photos - they will tell a much richer journey than the finished piece alone 
7. Model your own uncertainty. Try making something alongside the children and narrate your own trial and error, “I’m not sure if this will work, I’m going to try and see.” 

NDNA products to support you with these top tips

Birth to five years - online course

Disclaimer: Activities with children must always be risk assessed, including for allergies or choking. Children must always have adequate supervision. Resources and materials