Sparking Wonder: The Importance of Fostering Creativity in Early Childhood

Written on the 10 June 2025

(And How You Can Do It At Home)

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” — Pablo Picasso

As parents, we often celebrate our children’s first scribbles, imaginative stories, and spontaneous dances. These expressions aren’t just cute moments to put on the fridge or post online—they’re the building blocks of creativity, which plays a crucial role in every child’s development.

Why Creativity Matters in Early Childhood

Creativity is much more than arts and crafts—it's how children explore the world, express themselves, and make sense of their experiences. When nurtured early, creativity helps develop:

Emotional expression: Children learn to process feelings through storytelling, drawing, or dramatic play.

Problem-solving skills: Thinking creatively allows children to find multiple solutions to challenges, whether it’s building a block tower or resolving a playground conflict.

Cognitive growth: Imaginative play helps develop memory, attention, and critical thinking.

Confidence and independence: Being encouraged to create freely gives children a sense of ownership and pride in their ideas.

Social connection: Shared creative activities help children build communication skills and empathy.

In our fast-paced world, it can be easy to prioritise structured learning over play. But creative exploration in early childhood lays the groundwork for resilient, curious, and capable learners.

Simple Ways to Foster Creativity at Home

You don’t need to be an artist or spend money on fancy supplies to support your child’s creative development. What matters most is giving them time, space, and encouragement.

Here are some gentle, fun ways to bring creativity into your everyday routines:

1. Create an “Invitation to Play” Space

Set up a small corner with open-ended materials like crayons, paper, blocks, fabric scraps, recycled boxes, or nature items (sticks, leaves, rocks). Rotate materials weekly to keep it fresh and engaging.

2. Make Time for Unstructured Play

Boredom is the birthplace of creativity. Allow time each day where your child can choose how they want to play without screens or set instructions.

3. Say “Yes, and…” to Pretend Play

Join in when your child pretends you’re on the moon or running a café in the backyard. Saying “Yes, and…” keeps their imaginative world expanding and validates their ideas.

4. Explore Music and Movement

Put on music and dance around the lounge room, make instruments from pots and spoons, or sing silly made-up songs together. Movement fuels creativity just as much as sitting still and drawing.

5. Tell Stories Together

Start a story with “Once upon a time…” and take turns adding to it. You’ll be amazed where their imagination can take it! You can also draw the story as a comic or act it out with toys.

6. Celebrate the Process, Not Just the Product

Instead of focusing on how “good” something looks, say things like “Tell me about your painting” or “What was your favourite part to make?” This builds confidence and encourages exploration over perfection.

7. Get Outdoors and Let Nature Inspire

Nature offers endless prompts for creativity—making fairy houses from leaves, building mud pies, or collecting “treasures” on a walk to turn into art.

Final Thoughts

At Penguin Early Education, we believe creativity is at the heart of how children learn, connect, and grow. Just like penguin colonies work together to protect and nurture their chicks, parents and educators play a vital role in cultivating a child’s creative spark.

By making space for wonder, imagination, and exploration at home, you're not only helping your child build important life skills—you’re also creating joyful memories and deeper connection.

So, the next time your child turns a cardboard box into a spaceship or sings a made-up song at the top of their lungs, join in. Celebrate the magic. Because creativity isn’t just a phase—it’s a lifelong gift.

We’d love to hear from you!

What creative moments have you shared with your child lately? Share your story in the comments or tag us on social media with your family’s latest masterpiece. 

BIG KIDS (Grown ups:) - try this free creativity challenge https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/well/creativity-work-ideas.html

Written with love by the team at Penguin Early Education — where curiosity, community, and care come first.