The Role of Creative Imagination in Learning
Spontaneous, quick thinking, problem solving is often attributed to our capacity for creative imagination. Along with this comes the ability to shift perspectives, see things from different angles, and dare to try out new activities. Creative imagination can help us release frustrations and stress, feel more optimistic and lift the heavy veils of doom and gloom. And we can break free of self limiting beliefs, get along better with others, and enjoy life more.
That's a lot to attribute to a simple, ancient, and quite universal capacity. But I can see the validity of these links. It all leads back to the value of free play, one of my favorite subjects and one that continues to raise concerns regarding our modern life-styles and the resulting loss of play.
It brings me back to the question — do children get enough time for free play these days? Free play is decidedly different than structured play which has rules and goals.
Scientific American's February/March issue features an article on The Serious Need For Play, by Melinda Wenner in which free play is described as "the type of imaginative and rambunctious cavorting that fosters creativity and cooperation." and "... challenges the developing brain more than following predetermined rules does."
Free play has been shown to release stress, improve social skills, and "actually appears to make kids smarter." One way in which play does this is by providing a kind of training for handling unexpected situations by developing flexibility and creative imagination.
Child developmental expert David Elkind of Tufts University is quoted as saying, "Play is a way in which children learn and in the absence of play, children miss learning experiences."
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think free play and creative imagination are important to include in school settings? Do you have ways of bringing this into your classrooms?
That's a lot to attribute to a simple, ancient, and quite universal capacity. But I can see the validity of these links. It all leads back to the value of free play, one of my favorite subjects and one that continues to raise concerns regarding our modern life-styles and the resulting loss of play.
It brings me back to the question — do children get enough time for free play these days? Free play is decidedly different than structured play which has rules and goals.
Scientific American's February/March issue features an article on The Serious Need For Play, by Melinda Wenner in which free play is described as "the type of imaginative and rambunctious cavorting that fosters creativity and cooperation." and "... challenges the developing brain more than following predetermined rules does."
Free play has been shown to release stress, improve social skills, and "actually appears to make kids smarter." One way in which play does this is by providing a kind of training for handling unexpected situations by developing flexibility and creative imagination.
Child developmental expert David Elkind of Tufts University is quoted as saying, "Play is a way in which children learn and in the absence of play, children miss learning experiences."
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think free play and creative imagination are important to include in school settings? Do you have ways of bringing this into your classrooms?
Tags: creative-imagination, free-play
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