Recognition of Children's Visual Preferences to Promote Creativity Using Card Sorting Technique

The beginning of cultivating of many human abilities is in childhood; so is the beginning of developing the power of creativity and innovation is period. Studies on the behavior of children indicate that open spaces and gardens can play a significant role in the health and development of children. However, the architectural designs are unique and vague, and the truth is that our children's learning spaces are more likely to undermine their creativity. This study aims to review the necessity of nature in promoting the creativity of the child and the characteristics of these environments that enhance the creativity and innovation of children. The aim of this research is to identify the visual preferences of children in order to boost their creativity using card sorting technique and to review the necessity of nature in promoting the creativity of the child and the characteristics of these environments that promote the creativity and innovation of children. The main objective of this study is to find ways to improve the creativity and innovation of children through the accommodation of educational spaces with nature and the use of environmental features in the design.

To fulfill the study’s aim, a qualitative content analysis method was utilized and the Optima Sort software was used to assess and analyze the information. The statistical research population of this study were children aged 4 to 10 who were picked using the purposeful non-random sampling method based on the researches carried out by Tullis and Wood (2004). A total of 30 children were finally selected as the participants of the research. The tools for research were interview and an open card sorting technique.

The results of the study demonstrate that natural environments – due to their structural characteristics which help create a sense of curiosity and a will to discover, interaction and flexibility, coherency whilst being complex and mysterious allot which affect a child’s mind – may provide a suitable base on the way of boosting creativity and promoting the various aspects (cognitive, emotional and motion) of a child’s learning. Also, numerous and qualitative assessments suggest that by accommodating learning spaces with nature and utilizing environmental characteristics, we can improve and boost children’s creativity and innovation levels. By using these characteristics, various suggestions and solutions may be introduced as design examples for building spaces in way of promoting children’s creativity.

Since designing the environments and spaces for developing and flourishing of the children's talents is a new subject, it has received no attention in the design of the environments and spaces built for children in Iran. Therefore, it is suggested that effective solutions be sought regarding the educational spaces designs. It is hoped that the solutions proposed in the present paper maybe heeded by the authorities concerned.