Imagination Goes Boxes

An ordinary empty cardboard box to most adults often means the hassle of breaking it down and lugging it out to recycling. But to a group of first graders, a cardboard box gives way to endless possibilities for imagination and creativity. As experienced at Centro Education Leonardo da Vinci when two large ordinary cardboard boxes became the center of attraction at the playground. The boxes went from being an airplane and train to being used as racecars, and a ball ramp. Then just when one would think they’ve had their fun and were ready for the trash they became skis and a surfboard. No fancy toys or planned curriculum sparked this occurrence, only pure imagination and creative thought in an environment that supports this type of spontaneous student directed learning.







Yet, what is so great about children playing with cardboard boxes? It’s clearly not the boxes themselves, but development gained through process. When young children express themselves creatively and use their imagination independently (without adult intervention) the benefits are countless. For example, it promotes critical thinking. Through initiating their own learning, problem solving to produce various outcomes, taking risks, and making connections to the world at large. A second benefit of independent creative play in young children is the cultivation of emotional and social development. It is an avenue for them to communicate their own ideas, thoughts and feelings. With group play it promotes positive conflict resolution skills through compromise and sharing.

E-mail cadastrado no site

Senha

Comentário