Benefits of Creative Play

by THE KIWI FAMILIES TEAM

Creative Play is what children do when they are just being children.

What skills will my child develop through Creative Play?

Some of the benefits and skills your child will gain through creative play include:

Intellectual Benefits

Even at a young age, creative activities help to develop basic maths skills such as geometry (size and shape), measuring, and sorting. There is also a great deal of problem solving and concentration which happens as children learn to take what is in their head, and put it onto paper. In the early years they need to ask themselves basic questions like if I cut here will it fit, or how can I stop the paint from dripping?

Things like mixing specific colours or creating a mosaic pattern may seem like creative activities, but without an intellectual component the creativity falls apart. As your child learns these skills in a creative area, they can transfer them to other areas of their life as well.

Physical Benefits

Painting, drawing, cutting and pasting all help to develop fine motors skills in young children, which in turn helps them to be writing-ready as they near school age. Children are not born with a pencil in their hand, so it takes time to develop the skills required to make one work.

In the space of a year or so, your child has gone from the stage of not even knowing they have hands, to being able to pick up a crayon, move it over the paper, and apply enough pressure for it to actually leave a mark. That’s incredible!

As children get older, creative activities will help further develop their fine motor skills, as well as their hand-eye coordination.

Emotional and Social Benefits

It’s no secret that creative activities provide a positive outlet for children (and adults) to express their emotions, and this starts at a very young age.

As children get older, arts and crafts can provide a safe and positive way for children to socialize with others. Instead of just ‘hanging out’, children can get together to make and create.

What equipment does my child need for Creative Play?

• Crayons – wax, plastic and oil
• Paints – water, acrylic, tempera
• Dyes
• Coloured Pencils and Felt Pens
• Brushes and Sponges
• Modelling Clays and Doughs
• Printmaking Equipment
• Scissors
• Stamps and Punches
• Paper and cardboard
• Collage Materials
• Glues and Adhesives
• Craft Kits
• Moulds and Templates
• Easels and Activity Tables
• Aprons and Accessories