Play as a Manifestation of Children’s Imagination and Creativity

This theoretical paper sheds light on the interrelatedness between play, imagination, and creativity, and the importance of realizing this interrelatedness in early childhood education. Based on a thoughtful review of relevant literature, I suggest that children’s play manifests and prompts their imagination and creativity. In addition, I argue that play is a fundamental element in teaching and learning that has the potential to change the classroom environment into an expansive and creative environment. In that space, we can see a real educative play that can “engage, intrigue, interest, puzzle, and enchant” (Jardine et al, 2003, p. 22). Imagination, play, and creativity are necessarily interrelated and interwoven as one fabric; they complete and prompt each other, and together they support learning, opening the door to the possible and the not-yet experienced.