Imagining, creating and play: preschoolers

Preschooler play: why it’s important for imaginative and creative development

Play fosters creativity and imagination in preschoolers, and the preschool years can be one of the most creative times in a child’s life.

As their imaginations grow, play gives preschoolers opportunities to:

• build confidence
• express feelings and learn communication skills
• develop, practise and improve coordination and motor skills
• practise decision-making, problem-solving and critical thinking
• explore ideas in a safe environment.

These are all very important skills for the preschooler years and beyond.

What to expect as your preschooler’s imagination develops

From around three years your child might enjoy using puppets and dress-ups, tell you very detailed stories about things that never happened, or have an imaginary friend. She might pretend to be a grown-up, a doctor or an astronaut.

Your preschooler will probably be very keen on any chance to scribble, draw, paint and paste. At around four years, your child can draw places, things and people with lots of detail from his imagination.

By five years, your child can express thoughts and ideas through drawing. She might also start to use art to tell stories, show feelings or describe things that she’s seen.

Remember, children at this age can’t always tell what’s real and what’s made up. This might mean that any scary monsters from stories become real to your child. If your child has nightmares, reassure him that he’s safe--monsters are only make-believe.

Play ideas and creative activities for preschoolers

Allow your child to play in her own way, without your always being involved.  But remember that your child still needs you to encourage and help him if he’s having trouble.

Here are some play ideas to encourage your child’s imagination:

• Tell stories and read books. Your preschooler might enjoy making up new endings for familiar stories. Also try sharing silly rhymes and riddles. Preschoolers especially like word games and enjoy making up their own jokes or rhymes.
• Go for a nature walk or play outside in different kinds of weather. This a simple, low-cost way to let your child experience new and stimulating environments--even if it is just your yard.
• Make time for outdoor play.
• Get your child to help you with simple household chores. She could be a waiter who helps to set the table. Or she might like to pretend that she’s a chef and help you with some basic cooking.
• Set up a special play space within your home. Large cardboard boxes or cloths draped over chairs provide endless possibilities for pretend play. Include plenty of toys like blocks or balls, which allow for open-ended play.
• Take the time to rest and dream. Lie on your backs together and look at the clouds and the sky. Imagine what the various shapes could be.

You can also make up some simple, low-cost play activities for your child. For example:

• Give your child crayons or pencils for drawing and scribbling.
• Make a ‘busy box’ for your child, full of things like coloured papers, string, glue and other used items like pieces of cardboard and plastic bottles. The special box can also include natural items found outdoors like twigs, petals, stones or feathers. Many creative projects will result!
• Collect a box of old clothes, shoes, jumpers, boots, handbags and other things for dress-up games. 
• If you have the space, set up a messy play area with playdough, paints, sand, or water.  Outdoors may be best.
• Keep old magazines and catalogues. Your child can cut out pictures of people, animals and objects use them for collage.
• Enjoy puppet play with your child. All you need to get started is a sock or even just a paper bag!  Make it be anything you want.
• Listen to music or make musical instruments from everyday objects like empty milk cartons filled with uncooked rice or pebbles, or rubber bands stretched over an opened box.

Screen time and imaginative play

Preschoolers should have an hour of screen time a day, at most.  However, there can be ways to use that time creatively.

For example, drawing or painting on a screen can develop your child’s ability to use shape and colour in imaginative ways. Or your child might get new play ideas to explore at home from something he sees in a quality TV show or other digital medium.

In general, the key events in development happen in a similar order, but the age they happen might vary for each child. If you’re concerned about any aspect of your child’s development, it’s a good idea to talk with your family health provider or your child care educator.