Unstructured time is key to developing creativity and imagination in children.
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Why Children Need Unstructured Time
As parents, we want the best for our children. Often, this means finding enriching activities for them. But giving them unstructured time may be the best gift we can offer! Here’s an example of why free time is so important for children.
Yesterday Johnny (4) and Lily (2) spent an unprecedented three hours creating an imaginary world while Emma was in Kindergarten – with paper, tape, and pens. Here are two of Johnny’s people – I think they are him and his dad (Mike).
This is Johnny’s construction paper house. I love that he cut the people out of their own homes…
A few accessories for his house. Can you spot Tow Mater (two different angles) and two angry birds? Johnny is a marketer’s dream. Show him a product with a character, and he loves the product – regardless of whether or not he knows ANYTHING about the character.
Click to read also: Art and Craft Supplies for Kids
Lily made some guys and a house as well. I am fascinated by how Lily’s drawings range from typical two-year-old (below) to her sophisticated bear and tree. It reminds me of the way Emma’s handwriting ranges from looking as nice as mine to barely legible (usually reserved for homework).
Johnny did some more abstract work, as well:
It’s amazing what kids can do, given the space, interest, and resources!
How do you see unstructured time developing creativity and imagination for your children?
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MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
Sometimes it surprises me when I see my kids’ work. Their creativity should be developed by letting them feel that we are there to support them.
I’m always surprised how alike our homes appear to be! This definitely looks like something that often happens in our home. Miss Enigma is big into drawing and cutting out characters (often animals). I love the way your kids had free time to explore their own creativity!
neat! I love to see what kids will do with their own creativity!
Those free times are SO precious. My daughter prefers to spend all her free time reading despite our encouragement to do something more “artsy”, but it’s just who she is and who she is not.
Kids really have their “things”, that they love doing, don’t they!
So great to see their unique creations. What a wonderful, peaceful way to spend time together!
It was a wonderful afternoon!
YES! LOVE IT! I love what kids do without structured time or t.v! :) Great post!
18 months… 18 months – I’m just going to keep repeating that to myself when I see your posts. These are incredible and I can’t wait until J and T will do something like this together – I know it will happen it’s just a case of when
It will be a magical moment when it happens, Cerys – I felt like my life was transformed when Johnny and Emma started playing like this! :)
I love all the details. Very sweet and can’t believe they stayed with it for so long.
It was amazing that they kept at it for so long. And SO nice!!!
Wow! Three hours! That’s great. His Tow Mater looks amazing!
I was very impressed by his Tow Mater :)
Unstructured time is priceless…and your kids know how to embrace it!!!
i agree! it is amazing. and so many kids do not get space or time to explore and think and just be.