Cultivating Creativity in Progressive Education

In a world that is ever-changing, creativity is the key to unlocking one’s potential.

Here at The Little School, students explore ideas, make connections, express themselves in meaningful ways, and form bonds that can last a lifetime. Our teachers make space for curiosity and discovery every day, so creativity isn’t something that happens only during art class—it’s how children learn to understand the world, themselves and one another.

This approach reflects our progressive education philosophy, where learning grows from curiosity, exploration and relationships. By engaging in creative, hands-on experiences, children develop into confident thinkers, flexible problem solvers and compassionate community members ready for a changing world.

Key Insights

• Creativity is woven into every part of the day. From math to music, students learn by exploring and connecting ideas across subjects.
• Relationships fuel creativity. Teachers build trust and safety so children feel confident to take risks and express themselves.
• Every child’s creative journey is unique. TLS teachers guide with patience, helping students turn hesitation into curiosity.
• A creative mindset supports lifelong learning. Children who learn creatively grow into adaptable, empathetic and collaborative thinkers.

What Creativity Looks Like in Progressive Education

We believe that creativity starts with a curiosity-driven mindset. Teachers at The Little School encourage children to ask questions, take risks and explore at their own pace.

“There’s no right way or wrong way,” says Morgan Padgett, Art Specialist at TLS. “The important thing is that students feel safe enough to explore, make mistakes and find their own way in.”

This approach gives children time and freedom to test ideas through hands-on learning. Whether they’re painting, building, writing or experimenting, they’re developing a mindset of curiosity and problem-solving that carries across every subject.

In practice, this means:

• Projects are open-ended, allowing multiple ways to respond or create.
• Teachers act as guides, offering ideas rather than demands.
• Students revisit materials and ideas over time, deepening their understanding.

Creativity Begins With Relationships

Creativity grows from relationship—between students, teachers and the community. In an educational setting, that connection makes space for trust, exploration and shared discovery.

“Progressive education is deeply rooted in relationships,” says Regan Wensnahan, Director of Enrollment Management. “When teachers know their students well, they can invite them to grow in effective ways.”

This philosophy extends throughout the school. Teachers collaborate across disciplines to design learning experiences that link subjects, deepen thinking and strengthen relationships. For example, students recently wrote poems in their literacy class, then worked in the art studio to weave lines from those poems into a collaborative tapestry—a visual and verbal expression of community.

Padgett notes that curiosity itself becomes a shared practice: “We spend time just looking at art together and asking, ‘What do you notice? What are you curious about?’ It’s about learning to see deeply and wonder together.”

Art Is Everywhere

Creativity at our school is not confined to one classroom. It lives in the spaces across subjects, where music, art, literacy, math and science meet.

A powerful example of this collaboration came through an authentic learning project that involved the art and music specialist programs. Students created identity boxes—decorated wooden boxes that represented who they are through color and imagery. Then, in music class, they wrote short “name songs” on the xylophone using the rhythm of their name syllables.

“It made the art expression not just visible, but audible,” says Wensnahan. “You could hear their creativity.”

This blending of sound, sight and self-expression helps children:

• Build confidence in sharing their ideas in different forms
• Understand that creativity isn’t a single skill—it’s a mindset
• See how subjects connect in the real world

Every Child’s Creative Journey Looks Different

Every learner expresses creativity differently. Some dive in immediately while others take more time. Teachers pay close attention to these differences and offer support and encouragement.

“Sometimes a child says, ‘I’m not good at this,’” says Padgett. “We help them turn that judgment into curiosity—‘What could make this more fun or interesting?’”

One memorable example came from a textile project for fourth and fifth graders. Students created quilts representing places that felt sacred to them. Many had never sewn before and were hesitant, but Padgett gave them options—some stitched by hand, others used glue or collage materials—while gently encouraging them to keep trying.

The finished quilts were hung in our breezeway during the Arts Festival, displayed alongside collages made by preschoolers. Seeing the developmental range of creations showed that creativity develops over time and that each student’s contribution matters.

Why a Creative Mindset Matters

The creative process does more than result in beautiful work—it helps shape how children think and who they become. 

Research supports this approach. When children are actively engaged—curious, experimenting and creating—they learn more deeply and remember more over time. As Wensnahan explains, “From a brain research perspective, active engagement—curiosity, experimentation and creation—is what drives real learning. The more engaged a child’s brain is, the deeper and more lasting that learning becomes.”

But beyond academic growth, creativity nurtures empathy and adaptability. “We live in a world that’s changing quickly,” she adds. “Creativity helps children develop curiosity, confidence and compassion—all qualities that make them lifelong learners and thoughtful community members.”

TLS alumni often share that this mindset continues to serve them. They describe entering new schools or programs with openness and confidence, ready to collaborate, take initiative and explore new interests.

Seeing Creativity in Action

Visitors to The Little School often remark that creativity is visible everywhere:

• Children building forts in the woods, writing stories or collaborating on murals
• Teachers guiding small groups through reflection and storytelling
• Students performing songs or sharing artwork at community gathering

The annual Arts Festival celebrates this creativity, offering families a window into the many ways children express their ideas throughout the year. 

“It’s wonderful to see how each child’s work reflects their own thinking,” says Padgett. “When you see it all together, it tells the story of learning and imagination across our community.”

Discover the Joy of Learning at The Little School

Here at The Little School, creativity is part of how we grow—academically, socially and emotionally. It helps children learn to express themselves, connect with others and think deeply about the world.

If you’d like to see how this approach works in real-time, we invite you to schedule a tour of our school or request more information. Come experience how creativity lives and grows here, every day.