What Does Creative Play Mean?

When children engage in creative play, they make up the rules rather than adults. Not only are they are free to use their imaginations, create stories, act out scenes or invent a new game, but this unstructured, self-directed play encourages mental development and allows a child to express his emotions. According to Today̵7;s Parent, children need at least 45 minutes of creative play every day, so create an environment that encourages them to use their imaginations.

  1. Providing for Creative Play

    • Creative play involves providing open-ended toys or supplies, meaning they don̵7;t need instructions or even adult demonstration, according to Today̵7;s Parent. Building blocks are classic examples of open-ended toys, and they give children the opportunity to use their imagination to build whatever they want. Offer crayons, markers, paper and other art supplies; dress-up clothes, props and mirrors for dramatic play; hand-held musical instruments such as shakers, tambourines or drums; and imagination toys, such as dolls, stuffed animals or molding clay. Supervise as needed, but keep interventions to a minimum so kids feel free to express themselves.

    Benefits of Creative Play

    • According to PBS.org, creative play is important because it enhances abilities, including problem-solving, critical and abstract thinking, and verbal and social skills. For example, through playing with blocks, children are challenged to handle issues such as balance and shape, so they have to use thinking and problem-solving skills to figure out how to build a tower, for instance, without it falling over. Creating a work of visual art or a musical composition could help relieve stress by establishing an emotional outlet. Creative play with other children encourages the development of social skills by urging children to take their peers̵7; ideas and feelings into account.

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