In seeking new and interesting points of view for our Early Childhood Program, Early Childhood Theatre Coordinator Julia Krebs and I recently attended a wonderful symposium at Baltimore’s Port Discovery Children’s Museum called THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY.  Dr. Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, author of 12 books about child development and a professor at Univ. of Delaware, led a lively discussion on the idea that our children need to play more in order to foster creative thinking.  Much research has been done in this field over the last 8 years and there is strong evidence that “play is essential to the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well being of children and is important to healthy brain development” (American Academy of Pediatrics, Feb. 2006).

How children learn is just as important as what they learn and it is important for us to raise creative thinkers as opposed to robots!  Play allows children to use what Dr. Golinkoff refers to as the “6 C’s”:  collaboration, communication, content, critical thinking, creative innovation and confidence–all traits that we need as healthy, well-developed adults. 

We realized that this is exactly what Imagination Stage theatre classes for children ages 12 months up to 5 years do.  When our young students are in class, they are using creative play skills which, in turn, have a direct correlation to developmental skills such as self-regulation, self-guidance of thought and behavior, planning, self- reliance and socially responsible behavior in regard to others.  Play is serious business to children, and our students are engaging in active learning as they row the imaginary boat or act as Papa Bear in their very own rendition of Goldilocks & the Three Bears.

 We invite you to also share in our always-developing work:  please join us to experience some of our Early Childhood programming at our free Open House on July 24 from 9:00-11:00, especially for families with children ages 1-5. 

 –Kate Bryer

Tags: Early Childhood, Education