Infant Learning - The Perks of Playing | Davie Academy Blog
Playing Increases Creativity and Brain Function
Posted on Apr 21, 2021 at 0:03 AM
by Davie Academy Staff
The complexity of the human brain has been studied for the entire history of civilization. New technology has brought about capabilities to see brain receptor formation and what stimuli most affect the human brain.
Brain scans of children show that when receptors do not form, they die off in the brain and will not be able to be rewired—-So Early Experiences and Play is Crucial in Brain Stimulation, Cognitive Formation, and Creativity for children ages Birth to around age Five!
In order for children to be creative, they must be allowed to physically move, explore and change existing items. Beginning as young as 1 year of age, allow children under direct supervision to explore, bend, twist, and change things such as eco-friendly clay, fabric, and age-appropriate toys. Some parents may want perfection and for each puzzle piece to go directly to the correct place but that defeats the purpose of exploration. When a child explores, he or she begins to realize that some patterns may bring about success and others may bring about failure. For example, a puzzle piece not fitting correctly. However, failure is crucial in brain formation and leads to receptor formation of higher-level thinking capabilities in youngsters.
Exploration leads to creativity and further development of an idea. For example, a parent requests a child to color a bunny and he or she chooses a purple crayon. The parent may exclaim that bunnies can be only pink or white in color, thus stopping the creative process of the child.
Instead of hindering the exploration, ask why the child choose the color purple for the bunny. Show real bunny pictures and express the color that is shown in the real world. The use of dark colors by young children may not only signify creativity but also showcase the age-appropriate domain of fine motor skills. Children tend to use darker colors to color, paint, and draw because darker colors are more easily seen.
The yet weak fingers of children may bring difficulty in a lighter tone to physically have enough strength to pain an entire bunny in pink because this color is so light. The child may turn to purple for creativity and exploration or by simple management of the task which is too difficult to complete due to lack of stress in fine motor skills. Asking questions and further exploring the color choice allows children to realize, emphasize and define their thinking process.
Creativity may be fostered in young children through experiences. Before birth and after birth allow your child to listen to classical music. Allow your child to experience hands-on art activities well through middle school.
Parents need to understand that art-based activity such as drawing, molding, constructing, painting, playing instruments, dancing, etc. may not only be a way to form creativity and improve brain function. But all of these activities serve as stress relief and guided meditation exercises for many children and adults. Being creative not only allows the brain to engage but also allows the brain to relax and explore.
