Benefits of playing with creativity The importance of creative toys: Why they are crucial to the growth of children
While working as a team at 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 are for the development of children.
It’s not just an opinions – many studies have demonstrated that allowing the children and encouraging them to engage in playful play can be beneficial for their physical, cognitive as well as social wellbeing.
What is the definition of creative play?
Creative play includes any object that stimulates imagination and encourages creativity. It is most effective when it’s self-initiated, directed by the child, i.e. the child is the one who decides what to play with and the way they’ll play.
Children are able to decide and establish 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 playing, however they are the ones who lead the way!
Child psychologists believe that there are more benefits for development when engaging in ‘truly imaginative toys’ like dolls, blocks and cuddly toys, in contrast to ‘passive’ toys like televisions, computer games tablets, or smartphones which limit the ability to imagine.
Creative play encompasses an array of different types of play. Nearly every child will take pleasure in some way. If it’s drawing or painting or building using wooden blocks or Lego the creative games are enjoyed by nearly every person. Children may create an imaginative world using dolls and cuddly toys, or even dress up and pretend play. Anything that stimulates children to explore their imagination and create their own thoughts helps in the development of children.
Benefits of playing with creativity
This study from The American Academy of Pediatrics found numerous benefits of creative play. The research suggests that providing the possibility of free play along with opportunities for social and academic enrichment is essential to the development of healthy children.
There are many recognized benefits of creativity that can be classified into three categories:
Social and emotional benefits of creative play: Playing in a creative way provides a way for 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 giving them the ability to control their impulses. Creative play also helps to improve the social skills of children as they are playing together, negotiating guidelines of the game, solving disputes, enjoying each others’ company and improving the communication skills.
Creative play can have cognitive benefits Maths fundamentals as well as problem-solving skills concentration, and even the ability to think scientifically can all be improved through creative playas children discover ways to get the result they seek by engaging in a game or other activity.
Physical benefits of play Playing with creative toys is one of the most effective tools to help improve motor and fine hand-eye coordination as well as motor skills when children are proficient in handling small items such as Connetix tiles 100 piece set or using a pencil or paintbrush when drawing. The nature of creative play is also more physical rather than passive.
Innovative Christmas toys
Of course, play that is passive 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!
In fact, enjoying our time whenever possible and stimulating creative play can only be a positive thing. This is the reason why our this range of toys for creative play is designed to prevent the practice of passive entertainment and to encourage young minds to engage in imaginative play as often as it is possible.
The ability to take a break from our ever-busy and stressful lives to enjoy time for play is not just something everyone will enjoy it also provides an opportunity to create memories of childhood that last for a lifetime. We’re definitely for it!