# data[].attributes.headline
Rationale for Creative Play Experiences in the Early Childhood Curriculum

# data[].attributes.subject
Rationale for Creative Play Experiences in the Early Childhood Curriculum

# data[].attributes.body
Creative play fosters a child’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development. In the book Play: A Theory of Learning and Change, the author, Tara Brabazon, explains how crucial play is in supporting each developmental domain in children (2015). To begin, play fosters a child’s social development by promoting collaboration and interaction with peers and adults, starting at a very young age. Through this, children acquire crucial social skills, including negotiating roles, taking turns, and problem-solving (Brabazon, 2015). Through imaginative play, a form of creative play, children are able to develop empathy, a critical component of emotional development. While children participate in role play, they develop an understanding of what other people go through and experience, fostering understanding, empathy, and their ability to regulate their emotions. In addition, active play, another form of creative play, promotes physical development through the actions of running, jumping, and climbing. Active play also encourages physical health and aids in the acquisition of motor skills. Furthermore, play contributes to cognitive development by encouraging children to make meaning in their everyday activities. For example, puzzles, academic games, and building blocks encourage higher-order thinking skills, including the ability to analyze, create, plan, and problem-solve. Play can challenge children to think critically, further fostering their higher-order thinking skills. Lastly, play supports language development in a variety of ways. Children learn critical language skills, such as sentence structure and communication skills, through engaging in conversations, reading aloud, and participating in dramatic play (Brabazon, 2015).

Sensory development can be supported through the use of creative play as well. The article Developmental Play describes many ways that creative play can encourage and promote sensory development in early childhood learners (CEInternational, 2020). The different types of sensory skills include touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell. Creative play can enhance a child’s sense of touch through the use of hands-on textured materials like sand and clay, where children manipulate the objects while fostering fine motor skills as well. Regarding the sense of sight, creative play activities that include objects that promote visual stimulation, like picture books or colorful toys, can strengthen a child’s visual perception (CEInternational, 2020). Children's sense of hearing can be promoted through the use of creative play that incorporates music, read-alouds, and sound manipulation, enhancing a child’s ability to process sounds and language. Lastly, a child’s development of taste and smell can be promoted through play that encourages children to taste and smell certain items and/or food that are deemed safe and age-appropriate. Playful learning experiences that involve cooking can especially aid in enhancing a child’s senses of smell and taste.

Incorporating the five senses (touch, sight, taste, smell, and hearing) is important for fostering meaningful learning experiences that children will never forget. In the article Functions of Senses in Learning, the authors, Zeynep Sancak Sert and Giuliana Panieri, explain how using children's senses in activities makes them unforgettable, meaningful, and effective learning experiences (2023). Stimulating the five senses in an activity causes the brain to become more likely to value, store, and remember the information when needed, especially if more than one sense is integrated during the learning process. The opportunities for children to feel, grab, shake, smell, taste, listen, and write encourage engagement and therefore promote a greater chance for the children to recall the information and relate it to past experiences. Lastly, involving the five senses in learning experiences fosters the ability to meet each child’s unique learning abilities and needs, creating a more inclusive and comprehensive learning environment. The use of creative play, which provides the opportunities to incorporate usage of the five senses, at home and in classrooms can foster development and learning in a variety of ways.

# data[].attributes.headline
Integrating Play Across the Curriculum (Resource #1)

# data[].attributes.subject
Integrating Play Across the Curriculum (Resource #1)

# data[].attributes.body
The blog "How to Incorporate Play-Based Curriculums in the Classroom" by Little Tikes Commercial provides an abundance of information that can support educators in using play across the curriculum to foster engagement, meaning-making, sensory development, etc. It also answers many common questions, provides examples of play-based curricula, and even defines and describes different types of play and the benefits they hold. The materials and activities incorporated in this resource are appropriate for young learners ranging from age 3 to 8.

The curriculum areas supported in this resource include language arts, mathematics, physical education, and science. The text describes many different playful learning activities and materials that can aid in supporting active learning and meaning-making in multiple academic subjects and developmental domains.

Although this resource supports many different playful learning characteristics and activities, I chose to focus on the two that stood out to me the most: hands-on learning and sensory engagement.

Hands-On Learning

Example #1: Allowing children to manipulate blocks to explore the science concept of gravity is a great way to promote active meaning-making and inquiry learning through hands-on creative play experiences.

Example #2: Giving children empty cardboard boxes and art supplies and encouraging them to use their imagination to create their own pretend buildings and cars, fostering collaboration and problem-solving skills through creative play.

Sensory Engagement

Example #1: Allowing children to manipulate musical instruments can help develop their sense of hearing and their ability to identify specific sounds.

Example #2: Having children play with and manipulate playdough fosters their sense of sight, touch, and even smell.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Incorporate Play in the Classroom | LTC

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What is play-based learning? Click here to learn about this learning type, its benefits, and how to bring it to your school with Little Tikes Commercial!

# data[].attributes.headline
Integrating Play Across the Curriculum (Resource #2)

# data[].attributes.subject
Integrating Play Across the Curriculum (Resource #2)

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/how-to-add-play-based-learning-activities-to-your-early-childhood-curriculum/#:~:text=in%20your%20classroom.-,The%20dramatic%20play%20area,other%20play%2Dbased%20learning%20materials.&text=Children%20can%20use%20these%20materials,of%20the%20world%20around%20them.

The blog, "How to Add Play-Based Learning Activities to Your Early Childhood Curriculum," by Deidra Boodoo explains what play-based learning is, its importance, different ways to foster play-based learning, and provides content-specific examples. The activities described in this blog target preschool and kindergarten grades, focusing on children from infancy to 5 years old.

This resource targets mathematics, science, physical education, social studies, language arts, music education, and fine and creative arts. Additionally, it addresses many early developmental domains and ways to foster children’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development through playful learning.

This website includes a variety of activities that support multiple playful learning characteristics. I decided to focus on the playful learning characteristics of active engagement and social interaction.

Active Engagement

Example #1: Having an area in the classroom where children can engage in dramatic play through role-playing and a variety of props. This area could incorporate items such as a pretend stove and microwave, dress-up clothing, a menu, dishes, plants, etc. The child can actively engage with the items and their peers by taking on a role associated with a restaurant, incorporating past experiences and background knowledge.

Example #2: Actively engaging in a sensory play area, which promotes sensory development, fine motor skills, and creativity. This can include music areas, water tables, and/or sandboxes.

Social Interaction

Example #1: Gross motor development games foster social interaction. This includes outdoor jumping contests between peers and obstacle courses where children work together to overcome the course's challenges.

Example #2: Creating playful learning centers in the classroom encourages children to engage in imaginative play with peers, enhancing communication skills, empathy, and social skills.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Add Play-Based Learning Activities to Your Early Childhood Curriculum

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids love to play. You’d be surprised at how much thought goes into play based learning activities that fit each child. There’s reason for that.

# data[].attributes.headline
Supporting Children with Special Needs (Resource #1)

# data[].attributes.subject
Supporting Children with Special Needs (Resource #1)

# data[].attributes.body
The blog, "Supporting Children with Special Needs Through Play," by Good Play Guide, explains the importance of play for children with special needs, including freely chosen play and sensory play. This source targets children in elementary school. It provides ways to support children with special needs in creative play by adapting activities to meet their individual needs, thereby benefiting their development and enriching their learning experiences.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Supporting Children with Special Needs through Play

Play is incredibly valuable for all children, but having special needs can present barriers which may make it difficult for them to fully enjoy the experience. The needs of little ones vary a lot, so it's often down to you, the parent or carer, to understand the challenges and adapt to your individual child.

It's really important to avoid losing play value in favour of accessibility; simply being able to do something isn't what makes it enjoyable. Just remember to focus on what your child can do, rather than what they can't, when planning play time. Play should be freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated - in other words, a child with special needs might need a little support, but they also need the freedom to decide what to play and how to go about it.

Importance of Play for Children with Special Needs

Play has numerous benefits for children with special needs. It can help them develop essential skills, such as social, cognitive, emotional, and physical skills. Additionally, play can be used to support specific difficulties that your child might have.

For example, if your child has a hearing or visual impairment, play can help them strengthen their other senses, such as touch or smell, to help them explore and interact with the world around them. Sensory play, in particular, can be a great way to stimulate different senses and promote cognitive and physical development.

The Importance of Freely Chosen Play

It's important to remember that play should be freely chosen, personally directed, and intrinsically motivated. This means that your child should have the freedom to decide what to play and how to play, with some support from you as needed. While it's important to adapt play to your child's individual needs, it's equally important not to lose the play value in favour of accessibility. The goal is to help your child enjoy play while also promoting their learning and development.

Benefits of Sensory Play

Sensory play can be particularly beneficial for children with special needs. Sensory play involves exploring different materials and textures using various senses, such as touch, smell, sight, and sound. Some benefits of sensory play for children with special needs include:

Cognitive development: Sensory play can help children understand how things work, compare the characteristics of different materials, and develop problem-solving skills.

Social skills: Sensory play can help children observe how others play, copy and share ideas, and learn to play cooperatively with others.

Self-awareness: Sensory play can help children learn what materials they like and don't like, increasing their understanding of themselves.

Physical development: Sensory activities can be a good workout for the small muscles in their hands and fingers, improving their fine motor control and coordination.

Emotional development: Sensory play can be a good way for children to release energy or stress and express positive feelings.

Communication skills: Sensory play provides opportunities for children to express their reactions to materials, such as showing excitement at splashing water or surprise when experiencing something new.

Tips for Adapting Play to Your Child's Needs

When adapting play to your child's needs, it's important to consider their strengths, challenges, and interests. Here are some tips to help you adapt play to your child's individual needs:

Use their interests: If your child has a specific interest, incorporate it into their play to encourage their engagement and participation.

Be mindful of sensory sensitivities: If your child has sensory sensitivities, introduce new materials gradually and be aware of materials they don't like or are uncomfortable with.

Make play accessible: If your child has a mobility impairment, make sure play areas and materials are accessible and easy for them to use.

Provide guidance: If your child has difficulty with social skills, provide guidance and support to help them interact with other children and develop relationships.

Encourage imagination: If your child has difficulty with imaginative play, encourage their creativity and help them develop new ideas.

Conclusion

Play is an essential part of children's learning and development, and it's particularly important for children with special needs. By adapting play to your child's individual needs, you can help them enjoy the benefits of play while promoting

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Supporting Children with Special Needs through Play - The Good Play Guide

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Play is incredibly valuable for all children, but having special needs can present barriers which may make it difficult for them to fully enjoy the experience.

# data[].attributes.headline
Supporting Children with Special Needs (Resource #2) 

# data[].attributes.subject
Supporting Children with Special Needs (Resource #2) 

# data[].attributes.body
https://bijoubuild.com/blogs/bijou-blog/enhancing-play-to-include-special-needs-children-strategies-for-inclusive-activities#:~:text=Sensory%20and%20Motor%20Skills&text=Engaging%20in%20sensory%20play%2C%20such,both%20their%20engagement%20and%20development.

The blog, "Enhancing Play to Include Special Needs Children: Strategies for Inclusive Activities," by Bijou Build describes different developmental needs special needs children may have, concepts of inclusive play, and principles for effective inclusive play (2024). This resource targets early childhood to elementary school-aged children. It goes into specific detail on how to encourage and foster creative play that is inclusive and supportive of children with special needs. It also describes different training and resources for teachers, parents, and play facilitators to enhance their knowledge on the topic.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Enhancing Play to Include Special Needs Children: Strategies for Inclu

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Including special needs children in play can transform their development and enrich their lives. The key to successful inclusion is creating engaging, adaptable activities that support their unique abilities. This approach helps physical, cognitive, and social skills. Thoughtful play design considers each child’s needs