Dai processi creativi del bambino al ben-essere individuale e collettivo: stili di vita attivi e sostenibilità

In this research, entitled “From the creative processes of the child to individual and collective well-being: active lifestyles and sustainability”, the concept of creativity is analyzed in relation to play and reality, especially in childhood. Creativity, presented as an essential component of the human being, is fundamental for personal fulfillment. In carrying out the research, we used the studies conducted by many scholars such as D. Winnicott, L. Pati, F. Casolo and others, but on the cognitive development of the child, in particular J. Piaget was brought into play. The growth of the subject, according to this perspective, is divided into five stages: sensorimotor, pre-conceptual, intuitive thought, concrete operations and formal operations. After having presented these stages, and therefore having laid the foundations for understanding the development of creativity in the child, creativity in the adult subject was described and analyzed, highlighting how the ability to play, to imagine and to use divergent thinking are relevant elements even in the chronologically more advanced age. Thanks to the creative ability, the subject is able to generate personal strategies for solving problems, both in the case of adapting to the environment and to express oneself. This analysis is then followed by the investigation into the link between creativity, health and well-being, both at an individual and collective level, highlighting how these three aspects of human existence are interconnected and fundamental for a satisfying life. Creativity, therefore, is presented as a protective factor for mental health, as it promotes adaptation to the environment, stress management and the search for creative responses to identify adequate solutions when faced with non-linear or uncertain situations. It is also highlighted how creativity, health and well-being are three fundamental factors for a satisfying life and for building a sustainable society that respects itself and others. Analyzing the health benefits, both physical and mental, as well as the role of play, also understood as movement, and creativity in the development of the child, it is clear that physical activity, as a natural practice with which to promote health and well-being, represents precisely the connection between creativity, health and well-being. The fundamental role of physical activity, during childhood and adolescence for a correct physical, cognitive and social development stimulates fantasy, imagination and divergent thinking. To present this statement, in the research, two tests aimed at evaluating motor creativity in children were reported and analyzed. These questionnaires are the TCAM (Thinking Creatively in Action and Movement), developed by Torrance; and the Bertsch test. Alongside these analyses, it is essential to underline the need to adopt, starting from childhood, active lifestyles, in which physical activity is integrated into everyday life. The aim is to counteract a sedentary lifestyle and its negative effects on health. In the next phase of the work, the themes of sustainability, resilience and inclusion are addressed, relating them to each other and proposing an educational project for the future. In this regard, at least two issues emerge to be resolved: the first, how resilience is a fundamental resource for facing the challenges of the present and the future; the second, how physical activity, by promoting physical and mental well- being, can contribute to developing resilience. The corollary of the relationship between resilience and physical activity is the promotion of inclusion in all areas of life, starting from school, ensuring all children have equal opportunities for learning and development. This moment materializes in the last part of the research where the project "Giocare al futuro" is presented, developed by the Laboratory of Anthropology, Pedagogy and Sports Activities (LAPASS), in which the undersigned is also involved. This project, aimed at secondary school students, aims to promote sustainability, resilience and inclusion through playful and creative activities. This project represents a concrete example of how creativity can be used to educate new generations for a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive future. The methodology adopted for the development of the research is composed of phases, to better identify and establish the moments of investigation. The steps through which the research has developed are: identifying the general objective (the relationship between creative processes, the development of individual well-being, the promotion of active and sustainable lifestyles both collective and individual); establishing the problematic framework of the research (which questions to ask to conduct the research; for example: how do creative processes influence the perception of well-being and the motivation to adopt sustainable behaviors?); identifying the necessary bibliography (searching for scientific articles and books related to the topic through digital and libraries); limiting the ages of interest (establishing the time frame to investigate); choosing the tools useful for the research (books, conferences, webinars, scientific articles, websites); analyzing the selected scientific literature and the reference theories (Piaget, Winnicott, Pati, etc.); considering the possible developments and presenting a proposal for further studies on the relationship between creativity, well- being, inclusion and sustainability starting from childhood.