Scientific Articles

• Shaw, S. T., Luna, M. L., Rodriguez, B., Yeh, J., Villalta, N. & Ramirez, G. (2022). Mathematical Creativity in Elementary School Children: General Patterns and Effects of an Incubation Break . Frontiers in Education, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.835911

Explanation of the Post

The promotion of creativity should be one of the objectives of any system of education. The ability to be creative is an agile aspect of human beings that deserves to be respected. According to Ervynck (1991), there are three stages in the developing process of mathematical creativity. The preliminary technical stage involves using mathematical techniques for technical or practical purposes despite the user understanding the underlying. The second level is algorithmic activity, when mathematical procedures are used to carry out computational tasks. At the final stage of their creative process, the individual adopts a non-algorithmic judgment that seems to point to an underlying expanding of thought development.

However, one of the fundamental features of the appealing nature of mathematics is the simplicity of it. As a result, descriptions of mathematics need to be concise and to the point. Additionally, Shaw et al. (2022) identified two elements that could influence students’ mathematical creativity. As follows: 1) Students are exposed to mathematical concepts throughout grade levels through studied subject matter and knowledge of the domain; and 2) Providing pupils with the chance to “incubate,” or temporarily divert focus from a problem, may encourage them to come up with more original or complementary solutions.

Other sources

• Nadjafikhah, M., Yaftian, N. & Bakhshalizadeh, S. (2012). Mathematical creativity: some definitions and characteristics.  Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 31, 285-291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.12.056
• Nadjafikhaha, N. & Yaftianb, N. (2013). The frontage of Creativity and Mathematical Creativity. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 90, 344 – 350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.07.101