Research Focus: Intersections Between Creative Thinking and Disadvantage

About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of disadvantage on creative thinking in early education and the importance of nurturing creativity.

This double length, special episode features a conversation between Deborah Brown and Dr Jacqueline Young about Jacqueline’s recent research study exploring the intersections between creative thinking and disadvantage in reception age children (aged 4 and 5 years). Jacqueline talks about how disadvantage shapes opportunities for imagination, and why nurturing creativity is a powerful act of equity in early education. Join the podcast for a thoughtful, accessible conversation about curiosity, context, and the transformative potential of creative pedagogy. Episode Nine References: DfE (2025) ‘Early years foundation stage statutory framework for group and school-based providers: setting the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five’. Department for Education. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2 Di Battista, A. et al. (2023) Future of jobs report 2023. Geneva, Switzerland: World Economic Forum. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023/ Young, J. (2025). ‘Why don’t fish have eyelashes?’: understanding the intersections between creative thinking and…

People in this episode

Hosts: Deborah Brown, Dr Jacqueline Young

Guest: Jacqueline

Topics covered

• creative thinking
• disadvantage
• early education
• imagination
• equity
• pedagogy

Keywords

• creative thinking
• disadvantage
• early years
• imagination
• equity
• pedagogy
• education
• curiosity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Department for Education, World Economic Forum

Books & works: Why don’t fish have eyelashes?: understanding the intersections between creative thinking and disadvantage in early years education in two schools located in areas of high deprivation

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