With 2009 being the Year of Creativity, CQUniversity's Bachelor of Learning Management (Early Childhood) students recently showcased ways that creative thinking can be nurtured in the home environment, using common experiences.

This initiative was part of last week's Child and Family Community Fun Day and Expo held in Bundaberg.

Learning Management students Eliza Martin, Tegan Wilson, Allana McManus and Tegan Szalma looking forward to the day ahead

The activities, which included reading and cooking demonstrations, along with a musical safari focusing on creation of, and response to sound, were designed to cultivate positive self-esteem whilst respecting the child's curiosity and ability to learn.

The children also created decorative sand gardens and took part in puppet making and play for personal story telling.

Kerry Aprile, one of CQUniversity's Education lecturers, believes there are a whole range of positive adult-child interactions which can be used by parents to promote creative development in their children.

"We can encourage creative thinking just by talking with and listening to young children," she said.

"Their natural curiousity about the world around them can be used to encourage active investigation about the way things can and do work and they are capable of making wonderfully intriguing connections.

2. A wide range of activities and services were made available to parents and children as part of the expo

"Possibly the best outcome though is the effect that warm positive interaction like this can have on a child's confidence and self-esteem."

Ms Aprile deemed the expo a resounding success as parents were given access to positive parenting support and stallholders and students were able to network and demonstrate quality education and care for young children.