The benefits of play that is creative The importance of creative toys: Why they are essential for the development of children
Being in the North Pole and seeing the magic of Christmas toys each day we are aware of how important toys that are creative imagination, imaginative play and imaginative play can be to the development of children.
It’s not just our research – numerous studies have demonstrated that allowing kids to play playing with their creativity is beneficial for their physical, cognitive and social wellbeing.
What is the definition of creative play?
Creative play includes any object that stimulates imagination and encourages creativity such as the Connetix tiles 100 piece set. The most effective way to play is when it’s self-initiated and directed by the child, i.e. the child chooses what toys they’ll play with and what they’ll do with it.
This allows children to pick and create their own rules for play without having to rely on the criticism or judgment of their parents. However, this doesn’t mean you cannot participate in your child’s imaginative play , but they are the ones who lead the way!
Child psychologists believe that there are more benefits for development when engaging in ‘truly artistic toys’, like dolls, blocks and cuddly toys as in contrast to ‘passive’ toys like televisions, computer games tablets, or smartphones which limit the usage of imagination.
Creative play covers an array of different types of play. Every child is likely to take pleasure in some way. It doesn’t matter if it’s painting and drawing making using wooden blocks or Lego imaginative games are enjoyed by virtually all. Children can create their own world using dolls and cuddly toys, or even dress up and pretend play. Anything that stimulates children to think creatively and develop their own ideas can be beneficial for the development of children.
The benefits of play that is creative
This study from The American Academy of Pediatrics found many benefits to playing creatively. Their research suggests that offering the possibility of free play in addition to opportunities for academic and social enrichment are essential for good development of children.
There are many recognized benefits of creativity that can be classified into these categories:
Benefits for social and emotional development from creativity: Playing with your imagination can allow children to let their emotions out and feelings, which is beneficial in boosting their self-esteem and releasing emotions that have been bottled up as well as building resilience and helping to control their impulses. Creative play also helps to improve social skills as children play with each other, negotiating the guidelines of the game, solving conflicts, and enjoying each other’s company, and enhancing the communication skills.
The cognitive benefits of play Maths fundamentals as well as problem-solving skills concentration, and even scientific thinking may all be improved through creative games, where children are able to find ways to get the result they desire through their play or exercise.
Physical benefits of playing creatively The physical benefits of creative toys are one of the most effective tools to help improve motor and fine hand-eye coordination and motor skills when children are proficient with small toys such as construction blocks or Lego or using a pencil or paintbrush when they draw. The nature of creative play can be more physical as opposed to passive.
Fun Christmas gifts for children
Of course, playing passively that involves gaming on computers or screens does have its place. However, I would certainly not be capable of taking a shower at peace or finish cooking dinner without the aid of the goggles!
However, embracing our leisure time as much as we can by stimulating creative play can only be a positive thing. This is the reason why our the range of creative toys was designed to prevent the practice of passive entertainment and to encourage young minds to play with imagination whenever it is possible.
A break from our busy and hectic lives for an afternoon of playtime isn’t just something that the entire family will enjoy it also provides an opportunity to create memories from childhood that will last for the rest of your life. We’re definitely for it!