RECYCLING MATERIAL STRATEGIES TO FOSTER CREATIVITY IN 3 AND 4 YEAR OLD CHILDREN

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate strategies involving recycled materials to foster creativity in children aged 3 and 4. The study employed a mixed-methods approach with a descriptive design, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods; a Likert-scale survey was administered to 22 teachers. The findings indicate that these strategies are well-received, as the majority of respondents use them to boost creativity and enable students to develop their own ideas and concepts; furthermore, the instrument demonstrated a high level of reliability (90%) according to Cronbach's alpha coefficient. A key conclusion was that the use of recycled resources in early childhood education serves as a strategic approach for implementing relevant, innovative, and meaningful teaching practices. By fostering creativity through play-based activities and crafts, these methods allow students to explore, create, and transform everyday objects into educational tools, thereby enriching their skills and abilities while promoting independence and active class participation. These findings demonstrate that recycling not only supports environmental preservation but also fosters the holistic development of children.