IMPORTANCE OF IMAGINATIVE PLAY IN CHILDREN

1. IMPORTANCE OF IMAGINATIVE PLAY IN CHILDREN Watching as your child turns an old cardboard box into a rocket or mixes a mud pie is fun, however, imaginative play does far more than just keep your child entertained. Play is how children learn to make sense of the world around them, and expanding their imagination also teaches them valuable skills that carry into their social lives and academic careers. Today, the influence of too much technology has begun to creep into the amount of time kids spend immersed in creating their own little worlds. For this reason, it is critical to understand the importance of imaginative play so that you can plan experiences that stimulate your child’s creative expression. Benefits of Imaginative Play Children learn best through playing, and even the simplest activities yield high results for teaching them new abilities. For example, making a clay sculpture in a summer camp pottery class teaches kids fine motor skills that help them write better. Alternatively, playing a new role in a drama production allows your child to see the world from a different perspective that increases their social skills. Activities That Stimulate Imagination There are so many types of imaginative play a child can enjoy, and summer camp provides the perfect space for your child to let their imagination run wild. Storytelling around the campfire is one way to stretch a child’s creativity, and arts and crafts classes give kids a safe place to experiment with different types of media to create a masterpiece that comes straight from their imagination. Encouraging Your Child’s Creativity Teaching a child to think outside-of-the box is as simple as providing them with tools and opportunities that allow for self-expression. Planning enriching activities for after school and break time is the ideal way to give them a chance to relax away from the rigors of academics so that their mind can work freely. As your child paints, sculpts, acts and plays with their peers, they will be engaging in imaginative play that transfers to other critical skills such as the ability to convey their ideas with confidence. As a parent, you play a supporting role in your child’s developing imagination, so be sure to plan activities that allow for self-expression and praise your child’s creative efforts. By choosing to make imagination a priority, your child will benefit from being able to let their mind run free as they learn everything they can about life through play.