Creative Playtime Builds Confidence In Kids
Posted August 5, 2020 by Fort Magic
Growing up in our world today, children are faced with mounting pressure to succeed in academics, sports, and other extracurricular activities. One of the best ways for them to handle this pressure, and an attribute that will serve them well into adulthood, is confidence. Fortunately, one of the best ways to foster confidence in your child is by letting him or her simply be a child, and do so through something called creative play.
What is Creative Play?
Though you may not have heard it called “creative play,” you have likely encouraged this sort of activity in your home. Simply put, it is letting your kids be kids and allowing them to use their imagination and take the lead during their designated free time. It could consist of painting, drawing, modeling with clay, pasting, or simply make-believe.
While many children are exposed to this at school or daycare, it should be performed at home as well. Being done in within the home provides for additional learning experiences and allows parents to be involved.
When done in the home, keep it simple. It doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming. In fact, the less structured it is, the better, as it allows your child to display even more creativity. Simply keep a small box or tote nearby that has various art supplies and tools that can lead your child into creative play quickly and easily.
Materials Needed for Creative Play
Again, there are no rules to creative play, but it can be helpful to have certain materials on hand to encourage creativity and use of the imagination. This may include crayons, dyes, paints, brushes, and sponges, modeling clay, paper and cardboard, ribbons, templates, glue, scissors, and colored pencils. For additional fun and learning, incorporate costumes and a Fort Magic building kit.
The Impact on Confidence
Now that we know what creative play is, it’s important to understand how it can develop confidence within our kids.
1. Develops Leadership Skills
One way this activity encourages confidence is through helping develop leadership skills. Using imagination and role-playing, especially a powerful character like a superhero, can give your kid an opportunity to assert him or herself. Furthermore, they are able to create their own storyline, allowing for self-confidence as they go.
2. Uses New Skills and Experiences Failure
Creative play may also provide your child the opportunity to use new materials and therefore gain new skills and abilities. With this, however, comes the chance for failure, which is also vital for boosting confidence. Not only will it teach that failing is not detrimental, but it will also allow them to regroup and reconsider how to do an activity better.
3. Provides a Chance for Encouragement
Who doesn’t enjoy acknowledgment and being told that they are doing something well? Encouraging your child during this playtime acknowledges the effort they are putting into it and therefore produces more confidence. However, be mindful not to praise the child, which can result in a constant need for approval.
4. Allows for Spending Time Together
Creative play doesn’t have to be an activity your children do on their own. You can get involved as well, as long as you allow them to lead. Truly being engaged and into what they are doing will show that they are valued and worthy of your time.
Other Benefits of Creative Play
The benefits of this activity aren’t limited to confidence, there are several others as well. One is that they are engaging in basic math skills like geometry, shapes, sorting and measuring, problem-solving, and critical thinking. They are developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination through things like painting, cutting, and drawing, allowing them to be ready for writing once they enter school.
On the other hand, this type of activity allows an outlet for children and a way to express their emotions. It is something they can do with others which provides a chance to work, communicate, and create together. Lastly, children tend to talk when creating, providing an opportunity to work on their imagination and refine their vocabulary.
Fort Magic’s Building Kits
As mentioned, a unique way to encourage creative play is through one of Fort Magic’s building kits. Not only does it allow kids to build their own fort, it enables them to use their imagination in the process. They could be a princess living in their castle, or a superhero riding in their super-powered vehicle.
No matter what design they choose, they will be building confidence and working on their STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills. They can craft their own fort while figuring out what does and doesn’t work. There’s no greater way to learn than pairing it with fun!
What Are You Waiting For?
With so many advantages to creative playtime, now is the time to incorporate it into your child’s everyday routine. It’s amazing how a simple act of playing can help your child learn, grow, and mature. Happy playing!
Pin It for Later!
Photo Credits:
The Artful Parent Blog: One of our absolute favorite creative blogs for children and families. The Artful Parent blog is filled with simple ideas to fill your family’s life with art and creativity. A must-see blog for sure!
Learn With Play At Home Blog: An inspiring educational blog created by a primary teacher that strongly believes in making learning FUN & seamless through childhood playtime ideas and activities.
Two-Daloo Blog: The Two-Daloo Blog is passionately dedicated to the idea that every child should have the chance to discover the world at his/her own pace through hands-on exploration and play-based learning.
Uncommon Designs Blog: Uncommon Designs is a blog dedicated to creating a beautiful life. From special touches in your home to making handmade gifts, this fun blog shares projects and ideas that are both “on trend” and classic. If you enjoy creating, then Uncommon Designs is the perfect place for you.
Meri Cherry: The Meri Cherry blog is a tremendously awesome resource on all things creative, artistic, and beautiful in the world of kids crafting. Full of gorgeous, fun, and inspiring ideas for your family playtime, you’ll simply love the hands-on-learning ideas she posts each week.
Fort Magic Customer Photos via Facebook: Visit our Fort Magic Facebook page to see our customer creativity shine with fun pics and videos of families enjoying their Fort Magic kit during playtime.
Fort Magic Customer Photos via Instagram: Visit our Fort Magic Instagram page to see our customer creativity shine with fun pics and videos of families enjoying their Fort Magic kit during playtime.
