Creative Play - Why It Is Important

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Hi,
Creative play can make children far more intuitive and coherent than those who do not play creatively. Every child has a creative potential which when used optimally could make children more productive and efficient. People tend to misunderstand the real meaning of the word “creativity”; most of them think that creativity refers to something that is artistic work in nature.

However, creativity need not mean arts, painting or even drawing alone. It could anything that catalyzes a child's mind or it could be something that can ignite children's brain to think, analyze and act. Children need someone to prod or push them to learn the basics of creativity. All they need is just a simple shove and necessary supplies that can help them indulge in creative play.

Creative play not only teaches imagination and cognition, it also empowers children to succeed in social and personal life. In nutshell, creative play is one of the many ways a child can learn how to sharpen his brain and make it more quick, agile and analytical.

Wishing you a Joyous Holiday Season and a New Year filled with Peace and Happiness!

Thought for today:
"Play is our brain's favorite way of learning." - Diane Ackerman

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Everyone Can Be More Creative
As most creativity experts hold - including Jack Foster, Roger von Oech, Edward de Bono, and many others - creativity is a process that can be learned, practiced, and perfected.

Creative Play - Why It Is Important
Creative play is a very important aspects of children's development - a way for them to express feelings and explore their creativity.

Q1: My son took KBIT-2 & KTEA test at age 7. The results are interpreted in percentile rank. Can you help me understand it please.

KTEA: reading:99.9%, math 75%
KBIT-2: verbal 99.5%, non verbal 63%, iq composite if 96%.

When I trued to look up all the scores are in composite numbers but we were provided with percentile rank scale. Thanks.

A: The Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, Second Edition (K-BIT 2) is used to measure verbal and nonverbal cognitive ability. It is used to obtain a quick estimate of intelligence, estimate an individual's verbal versus nonverbal intelligence and/or to screen to identify students who may benefit from enrichment or gifted programs..... Continue to read Dr. Sandhu's answer on Composite Score and Percentile Rank on K-BIT-2 and KTEA here.

Q2: Is it normal for my one and only child who is 2 1/2 yo to demonstrate the following? Is he considered gifted?

A: From your description, it appears that he is certainly developing at a faster speed for his age. We try not to label at this age but he certainly is very advanced; milestones ahead of his peers, which means that if he develops cognitively at this pace, he may be potentially gifted...... Continue to read Dr. Sandhu's answer on Above Average Toddler here.

Q3: My son is 5 years old and obviously very intelligent. He was recently given the K-BIT 2 test through his school. These are the scores I received.

Vocabulary 115

Matrices 103

K-BIT Composite Score 11

There is no explanation of what these scores mean or where he falls intellectually. Only that he doesn't meet district criteria for the gfited program.

A: The KBIT-2 is a screening measure of intelligence comprised of two subtests: Matrices (non-verbal) and Vocabulary (verbal). In theory, the verbal subtests measure crystallized ability and the non verbal subtests measure fluid reasoning. The Verbal portion of the KBIT-2 is made up of two subtests, Verbal Knowledge and Riddles. These measure verbal, school related skills by measuring an individuals word knowledge, verbal concept formation, reasoning ability and range of general information..... Continue to read Dr. Sandhu's answer on Interpretation of K-BIT 2 Scores here.

The Toddler's Busy Book: 365 Creative Games and Activities to Keep Your 1 1/2- to 3-Year-Old Busy
By Trish Kuffner

The Toddler's Busy Book is a must-read for anyone rising or teaching toddlers! This book contains over 365 activities (one for each day of the year) for kids ages 18 months to 3 years, using items found around the home. It shows parents and day-care providers how to prevent boredom during the longest stretches of indoor weather, stimulate a child's natural curiosity with entertaining math, language, and motor-skills activities, encourage a child's physical, mental, and emotional growth, celebrate holidays and other occasions with special projects and activities, and keep toddlers occupied during long car trips or while running errands.

The Toddler's Busy Book is written with warmth and sprinkled with humor and insight. Trish Kuffner lives with her husband and five children just outside of Vancouver, British Columbia. She is the author of The Toddler's Busy Book, The Preschooler's Busy Book, The Arts & Crafts Busy Book, and The Wiggle & Giggle Busy Book.

Children's Creative Play: How Simple Dolls and Toys Help Your Child Develop
By Karin Neuschutz

Many parents find it hard to know what toys are appropriate for children at different ages, and what kind of play to initiate and encourage. What can parents do to best help children develop and grow their skills, and their understanding of the world? Karin Neuschutz, an experienced educator and parent, addresses these questions in this concise, readable book. She discusses how children play, creatively and freely, and how they are affected by their environment and by the adults near them.

She explores each developmental stage up to age seven, using case studies to illustrate particular issues. She then suggests suitable toys and dolls for children at particular stages, and nurturing activities. Parents and early-years educators will appreciate the dependable, practical advice in this book.

Lashing out at kids stunts brains: study
Health MSN Dec 12, 2013

It's a common scene: a mother grabs her daughter's arm roughly on the bus. A father at the supermarket growls coarsely into his son's ear.

So Much For The 'Mozart Effect'
WVASFM Dec 12, 2013

Music makes the heart grow fonder, but scientists are not so sure that it boosts IQ. The Boston Globe notes: The idea that learning to play an instrument, read music, or sing in harmony will boost intelligence has become ingrained in modern life, but the evidence has always been pretty scant.

Why peace and quiet may be best for baby: Listening to repetitive, continuous noise can hinder a child's development
Daily Mail Dec 04, 2013

It may be all too tempting to put a baby in front of the television or play music to soothe them - but scientists fear it might be doing them permanent damage.

How dads affect kids' brain function
World Mag Dec 10, 2013

The absence of a father during childhood development may cause defects in a child's brain structure that can lead to social and behavioral impairments, according to a new study conducted at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, Quebec.

Why Do We Believe Strengthening Brains Is the Right Strategy?
Huffington Post Dec 12, 2013

For the past several days, I have been writing pieces that say that if we want to reduce the number of people in prison and reduce the number of people who drop out of school because they can't read, we need to help children from birth to three years old exercise their brains.

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