Creative Play

Young children learn and experience new things through their imagination. As parents, we need to remember that the basics of how children learn is not only 1+1=2 or “b” is the beginning sound in “baby.” It is also in their telling you about pictures in clouds, building new worlds with blocks and clay, and making up stories about an imaginary friend.

Here are a few simple tips and some creativity support tools.

• Have a dress-up box filled with old clothes, personal items, and accessories.
• Keep drawing tools, clay, and blocks easily accessible.
• Have blankets and sheets ready for building tents and playhouses.
• Make up songs about everyday things and take turns adding silly rhyming lines.
• Get down on the floor and let your child lead “let’s pretend.”
• If asked, go on a pretend trip in an imaginary car.
• Have household items ready to be part of a tea party or turn into homes for little acorn people.
• Take a walk outside—open up the whole world to your child’s imagination.

Listen to your children. When it comes to imagination, let them take the lead rather than tell them what to do or set up structured play. Children who are given choices about what to do show more creativity. And, most important, give them the opportunity to play freely, rather than fill their days with planned activities. If you see young children daydreaming, don’t interrupt.

Resources:

• “Creativity in Young Children” from News for Parents.org supports the ongoing process of creativity.
• “Fostering Your Toddler’s Imagination and Language Abilities” from Family Education lets you know how easy creativity for kids can be.
• “Let’s Play” from the BBC summarizes how imaginary friends, imaginative toys, and creativity helps children work out problems and overcome fears.