This Is the Key to Fostering Creativity in Your Child’s Life Through Play, According to an Early Childhood Education Expert

Play is so important for a child's development that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) even recommends that pediatricians prescribe it for children. Research has shown that our focus on structured academics instead of open play has led to a decrease in playful learning. Play is more than just something kids can do to keep busy when there is nothing else to do. When children play, they improve school readiness and build important life skills like self-control, turn-taking, and problem-solving.

Play may look different for everybody. Experts agree it's something kids do because they want to, and it keeps them engaged and active. Kids choose to play because it's fun, and the best kind of play has some spontaneity and doesn't need a specific goal. However, you might wonder how you can foster creativity and imagination in your child's life through play.

We asked an early childhood expert for some tips on creating an environment for your child that leads to spontaneous, open-ended play.

Kids Can Play With Just About Anything

If you've ever watched a young child open a present that came in a large box, and then proceed to play all day inside the box rather than the expensive toy, you know that kids can make fun out of anything. Often, open-ended materials like boxes lead to the most creativity.

We speak to Lily Siegert, an early childhood educator turned residential playroom designer, for some tips on creating a playful environment. Lily co-founded a playroom design business, Little Kingdoms, where she designs spaces where children can flourish through play.

Remove the Clutter

For an inviting play space that fosters quality play, Lily suggests that you part with toys that are no longer developmentally appropriate or stimulating for your children. Too much clutter can lead to decision fatigue. According to Lily, “This actually detracts from quality play.”

Include Loose Parts in Your Play Space

Include in your play space what Lily refers to as loose parts. You can get creative with these materials. Some examples are buttons, bottle caps, milk crates, plywood, fabric, PVC pipe, buttons, golf tees, or clothing hangers.

Some of Lily's suggestions for the playroom include swapping play kitchen food for other materials. Some examples are “Pieces of cork, clothespins, and little gems so children employ symbolic thought as they use those items to represent something else.”

Other ideas include giving your child a muffin tin, tweezers, and a handful of pom poms, beads, or marbles. Through this, they can learn colors, shapes, and sizes while they improve their manual dexterity. Try adding recyclables to your playroom or at bathtime, too. According to Lily, this allows children to explore ideas like conservation, volume, and weight since they're working with different-sized containers. Again, this can help with manual dexterity and fine motor skills as children press on lids or unscrew caps.

Commit to a Less Hurried Lifestyle

According to the AAP, “Play is not frivolous: it enhances brain structure and function and promotes executive function.” But when a family's entire day is scheduled down to the minute, there isn't much time for play. If you want your kids to have a chance to play the way generations did in the past, Lily suggests you commit to a less hurried lifestyle.

“If parents expect meaningful learning through play to happen at home, they have to be willing to make time for it,” she explains. This may mean limiting activities to give yourself and your child downtime at home.

What Is Risky Play and Why Should You Let Your Kids Engage in It?

Lily explains, “When we deprive children of the opportunity to take risks, we also remove so many developmental benefits that come along with it.”

Risky play doesn't mean letting your child do dangerous things, but it does mean backing off a little and letting them take some risks. We are often so careful to be sure our kids our safe that we don't give them the chance to learn how to follow their intuition.

There are going to be situations in every child's life when they'll have to rely on a gut feeling. Allowing children to engage in risky play teaches them how to identify and obey that feeling, according to Lily.

Let Kids Be Kids: That’s How They Really Learn

We place a lot of importance on academics for children, even as early as preschool. But Lily wants us to remember, “Children only get one childhood.”

“Before we coerce them into learning, they are motivated to do so on their own. There are so many academic lessons they can learn through hands-on play, and there’s invaluable social-emotional and interpersonal learning that happens too. I would argue that academics generally get taken care of in school, but you can’t teach a child perseverance, creativity, or cooperation. They have to develop and hone those skills in real time, and play is the perfect venue for it.”

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