Cultivating Creative Potential during Adolescence: A Developmental and Educational Perspective

Cultivating Creative Potential during Adolescence: A Developmental and Educational Perspective

In this article, we argue that adolescence is the most important period of development for nurturing creativity. We propose a developmental definition of creativity that focuses on the development of creative inclinations and capabilities. We then discuss the paradoxical situations facing adolescents that provide both opportunities and challenges for developing creative potential. We describe a research program aiming at nurturing creative potential during adolescence. We finish this paper by making several suggestions for protecting and nurturing adolescents’ creativity.