If you work in a school, you’ll already be very aware of the central importance of creativity to children’s education. Indeed, it can spark a lifelong curiosity and love of learning.
There are myriad other reasons why it remains so important, including:
Self-expression
When children are creative, they express themselves in different ways, including through play and manipulation of materials. So they can develop their thinking processes and their imagination.
Cognitive abilities
Creative activities urges youngsters to experiment and explore, and this can help them to discover fresh ways of problem-solving and thinking, encouraging them to tackle challenges with innovative solutions.
Emotional and social development
If they get creative, kids can find it easier to express their feelings and emotions, which often helps to nurture resilience and confidence. At the same time, they can build social skills through creative play, from sharing and negotiating to communication and cooperating. Equally, creativity can help by giving teachers clues as to what a child may be thinking, or how they may be feeling.
Physical development
If kids engage in activities like dancing or drawing, they enhance their fine and gross motor skills, which are key to their early physical development.
So as children build their creativity and imaginations, they become more able to tell stories, relate to other people and keep themselves emotionally grounded as they enter imaginary worlds.
What counts as a creative activity for children?
While it’s true that it’s not easily defined, one way of describing a creative activity is one which results in something that wasn’t there previously, whether that’s a song, a play, a dance, a painting or other piece of artwork – even if it’s as simple as fashioning an item from Play-Doh. These are all examples of activities leading to children making something themselves. Many games involving imaginative play fall under this category.
Teachers or other staff members can help by asking children about their decisions and processes, by suggesting ways to experiment and offering assistance as needed.
Taking creative play outdoors
When you take creative activities outside the four-wall, standard classroom environment, you inspire creativity and spark pupils’ imaginations still further, so that all the benefits mentioned above are enhanced.
Then there are the additional benefits of fresh air and sunlight, while children also experience a fresh sense of freedom and increased confidence. You’ll notice them growing calmer and happier as they release built-up energy, plus they’ll experience a strong feeling of connection to place and community, all of which boost creativity.
Equally, you can incorporate movement and physical activity, alongside reflective and mindful practices, in a way which may not be as possible indoors. You can also embrace the changing of seasons as part of the creative learning experience, and make use of natural materials in activities to encourage sensory exploration and creativity as well as environmental awareness.
Canopies for creative activities from Kensington Systems
Our high-quality, smart-looking Spaceshade® canopies allow your students to enjoy vital creative activities all year round, whatever the weather’s doing, from drama and art to dance and dressing up, in comfort and with sufficient space. And if you want somewhere for singing and music, holding these sessions away from the classrooms, minimises potential noise distractions.
We offer to sleek, modern designs, along with built-in safety features on our canopies. We include groundworks as standard, offering an end-to-end solution that’s fully tailored to your own requirements. The range can even incorporate solar panels. Plus models are available in many different hues and fabrics – so why not go for something bright? Colours including red, orange and yellow will stimulate creativity and increase energy.
Get in touch to learn more and arrange a free visit to your school.
