Creative play is a fundamental part of a child’s development, both physical and mental. So what are the benefits of creative play, why is creativity important to child’s development and how can you action them in their everyday activities, especially when it comes to your playground equipment? Read below to discover more.
There are many benefits of creative play and the advantages of these go a long way in the development of a child’s mental and physical state, with some noted below:
Below, we go into further detail about the benefits of creative play and what you can expect when introducing different apparatus into your lessons or extra curricular activities.
Children can expand their vocabulary and experiment freely with words in their own space and time, without the risk of embarrassment if they use the words incorrectly. By pretend playing with others, using play equipment such as activity and play panels and inclusive play products, children begin to understand that words give them the power to re-enact a story and to organise play.
Creative play is a great way to build your child’s communication and social skills in a fun and supportive environment. When children are engaged with their chosen material you’ll notice they talk to themselves about what’s happening, as well with their peers. This in turn leads to building their vocabulary and developing their imagination.
Imaginative and creative play benefits your child in a way to express both positive and negative feelings. It also helps him to work through difficult emotions and to understand them.
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. Making a range of equipment and materials accessible for children, means that creative expression becomes as normal as brushing their teeth. Take a look at our Boats, Ships & Nautical playground equipment range if you’re in need of some creative play inspiration!
Children express themselves both verbally and non-verbally through imaginative play. They use all their muscles and senses to achieve this. In a nursery or school setting children can play with water or sand play to promote fine motor skills and hand-eye co-ordination. Rhino Play provide some of the most innovative sensory and physically challenging climbing frames and traverse climbing walls for everyone to conquer.
To stimulate gross motor skills, you can encourage music and dancing too – more fun and more creativity that can also be done in the playground! There really is no need to ever go back into the classroom! Look at some of these brilliant playground musical instruments.
As children get older, physical activities will help further develop their fine motor skills, as well as their hand-eye coordination. There is exercise equipment available that is specifically designed for the playground! It’s a win win situation for children, keeping fit whilst developing their motor skills!
Creative play benefits mental growth by creating opportunities for trying out new ideas, ways of thinking and problem solving. In pretend-play, children face a variety of problems to solve. Whether it’s two children who want to play the same role, or looking for the right material to use for a doll’s bed, children will use important thinking skills that they’ll use through their lives. Cars, trains, boats, castles, forts etc. provide an excellent opportunity for children develop their role play skills.
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 will this glue be strong enough, if I cut here will it fit, or how can I stop the paint from dripping? In solving these problems, they learn about the creative thinking process.
Children can learn maths and English outside through carefully designed playground markings – there’s no better way to children to learn without them even realising. Through an alphabet spiral or a snakes and ladders game in their playground for example!
Creative play matters most in the Early Years Foundation Stage, when children are building the language, social and motor skills they will rely on for years to come. Outdoors, away from a formal learning setting, EYFS children can practise communicating, take turns and explore at their own pace. Equipment that works particularly well for nurseries and reception classes includes:
Our mud kitchens can be made bespoke to your space in different sizes and colours, and can be combined with water play for a compact design that suits smaller EYFS areas. Making mud pies builds fine motor skills, imagination and teamwork, with the added fun of exploring different textures and getting a little messy.
Low-level trim trails designed for early years help children grow in confidence while developing balance, strength and problem solving. Because they sit close to the ground, children of varying abilities can enjoy them with a reduced risk of injury.
Brightly coloured play panels, from paint stations and time-telling panels to shop fronts and pirate characters, encourage role play, logic and hand-eye coordination, and can be placed anywhere around the playground.
See how we have transformed early years outdoor areas in our Torquay EYFS outdoor area and Barton Day Nursery case studies.
All products are manufactured to order in our Devon-based workshops and can be made specific to your requirements and budget. Plus, you can relax in confidence knowing that our timber playground equipment comes with a 15-year guarantee and our recycled plastic range with a 30-year guarantee. Contact us today to see how we can help you achieve the best creative play opportunities for your play space.
"Please note that we don't offer domestic / home garden play equipment generally."
