When I’m getting all dressed up, setting the table, caring for the babies, Don’t get the idea I’m “Just Playing”. For, you see, I’m learning as I play; I may be a mother or a father someday.
When you see me up to my elbows in paint or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay, Please don’t let me hear you say, “He is Just Playing”. For, you see, I’m learning as I play. I’m expressing myself and being creative. I may be an artist or an inventor someday.
When you see me cooking or tasting foods, Please don’t think that because I enjoy it, it is “Just Play”. I’m learning to follow direction and see differences. I may be a cook someday.
Today we are celebrating creative arts! Children develop skills, knowledge and appreciation of the arts by participating with increasing interest and enjoyment in a variety of music, movement, visual arts, and dramatic play. At The Early Learning Center at Pine Tree Society, we engage in regular pretend play in our dramatic play area by pretending we are Mommies and Daddies, Doctors, Cooks, Veterinarians, Florists, Community Helpers etc. We also engage in singing and dancing, puppet play, water play, as well as working with a variety of art materials and much much more!
MAINE’S EARLY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS – Creative Arts
Creative expression allows a young child to engage in the world of their own imagination. It offers them an opportunity to express themselves in ways that are unique to them and to form an appreciation for the unique expressions of others. Fostering creativity in young children allows them to explore, examine and reflect upon their own individual form of creative expression. It also provides an opportunity for the Early Educator to gather information and insight into a child’s ideas, feelings, interests and individual learning styles and preferences. Providing experiences such as music, movement, dance, dramatic play, and experimentation with a variety of art media, allows a child to explore the different dimensions of the creative arts. As children interact with sounds, colors, forms and motion they expand upon their communication between their inner and outer world.