Originally published in 1952, this title looks at how various creative crafts were taught in school and whether this had the ability to eventually transform our social environment. The author looks at craft education first in the primary years and then in adolescence, she goes on to examine specific crafts in more detail.

A rounded, comprehensive, guide to issues of practice, pedagogy and policy concerned with creative education.

Creativity is firmly embedded in curricular, exam and inspection schemes. Focusing on children aged three to eight, this book discusses the teaching of creativity, explaining the implications for practice, theory and policy, through a consideration of pedagogy, curriculum, learning and assessment.

This nine chapter volume explores creativity in art teaching through contemporary craft. A variety of artists, educators and historians share with readers their wealth of practical resources and frameworks for utilizing craft media (fiber, ceramics, baskets, needlepoint, knitting, etc.) and craft approaches (grassroots projects, digital communities, craftivism, etc.) within contemporary K-12 art education, museum and community programming, and teaching artist residencies. Authors representing a variety of specialties in craft, art, and education examine the resurgence of the handmade and homemade in contemporary youth culture, digital implications of how we define and teach craft creatively, and the overlap of design, function, and beauty in artists’ work. The anthology also describes the challenges and potentialities of working with craft in education settings, including the overarching craft of teaching practices. Each chapter provides a range of creative frameworks and practical models that educators can use comprehensively: from dynamic digital resources, to community groups, and lesson plans and activities in craft with art classes and special needs classes. The book serves to propose a working definition and rationale of the functions of craft in daily life, popular and youth culture, and larger social issues (including craft, D.I.Y., and activism/“craftivism”).

Focusing on the how, what and why of creative learning, this book seeks to explore new theoretical, practical and methodological directions for engaging with it.