Creative Play Helps Children Grow
Marilyn Lopes
Extension Specialist, Family Life Education
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension
University of Massachusetts
Every child is born with creative potential, but this
potential may be stifled if care is not taken to nurture and stimulate creativity.
Creativity shows one's uniqueness. It is the individual saying: "I can be; I can
do." Isn't this what we want for our children? Creativity is the ability to see
things in a new and unusual light, to see problems that no one else may even realize
exist, and then come up with new, unusual, and effective solutions to these problems.
WAYS TO STRENGTHEN A CHILD'S CREATIVITY
Relax the controls. Adults who constantly exert
supervision and control diminish the spontaneity and self-confidence that are essential to
the creative spirit.
Inspire perseverence. All the creative energy in
the world is useless if the product is not seen through to completion. Show appreciation
for a child's efforts. Suppress the impulse to accomplish tasks for children.
Tolerate the "offbeat." Let children know
that it is not always critical to have the "correct" answer to the problem -
that novel, innovative, and unique approaches are valued as well.
Provide a creative atmosphere. Creative materials
should be available to the young child for his use. Some of the basic equipment includes
books, records, drawing materials, objects to make sounds with, clay, and blocks. Toys for
imagining: Supply preschoolers with unstructured toys and materials. Provide the child
with toys that can become a variety of things. Be careful about discouraging daydreaming.
Daydreaming is really an imagery process. Some of what goes on in the name of daydreaming
is really problem solving.
Planning and problem-solving. Encourage creative
problem solving in a variety of ways. Teach a youngster to look at alternatives, evaluate
them, and then decide how to carry them out successfully.
Offer - but do not pressure. Resist the temptation
to overcrowd children with organized activities in an attempt to cultivate their
creativity. Allow the child time to be alone to develop the creativity that is innate in
all of us.
CREATIVE GAMES
OBJECT CREATION
Have the children create a "machine" piece by piece. Some players become parts
that move and make noise, while other players operate the machine. Others can then guess
what it is. Try making a lawnmower with people as wheels, body, and handle, and have
another player push it. Everyone can join in the sound effects as it tackles the lawn.
More good objects to role play: eggbeater, record player, garbage disposal, toaster,
pencil sharpener, and water fountain.
CONTINUING STORY
Someone starts a story and each person adds a part.
CREATIVE DRAMATIC PLAY
One of the best ways children have to express themselves is through creative dramatic
play. Here they feel free to express their inner feelings. It occurs daily in the lives of
young children, as they
constantly imitate the people, animals, and machines in their world. It helps them
understand and deal with the world. Stimulate this spontaneous kind of drama by providing
simple props and encouragement.
Animal Cracker Game - Child chooses one cracker;
looks at it; then eats it. Then the child becomes that animal for 1-2 minutes.
Read a story and then act it out.
DOCUMENT USE/COPYRIGHT
National Network for Child Care - NNCC. Part of CYFERNET, the National Extension Service
Children Youth and Family Educational Research Network.
