A box to us is nothing more than cardboard, but for children, a box is much more. It's an adventure. Children can do many different things with boxes. By experimenting with boxes, imagination develops. They learn about their surrounding and how they see themselves in relation the boxes themselves. They'll try to fit in the box, get under the box or place objects inside the box. Some will wear the box. Should you encourage this type of play?
"Any imaginative play should be encouraged. Children learn flexibility, originality," says Jean R Feldman PhD, an Early Childhood Instructor at Dekalb Technical Institute. "By creating with these boxes they also develop a positive image of themselves."
Children won't think twice what to do with their box. They'll just do it. They'll find different uses for different sizes and should one use not work out, they'll find another use.
There are many advantages when children play with boxes.
Boxes are readily available.
Children will have fun with an appliance box (call your local furniture store, most will be happy to give them to you).
Supermarket boxes or smaller boxes such as tissue or food boxes are right in the center or in the home.
The children can: paint them, cut them, glue them, build with them, fill them, the possibilities are endless. Best of all, when children are done and onto another box project, you can put the old boxes in for recycling.
Jean teaches Early Childhood Professionals to "take ordinary objects and make inexpensive and educational toys or let children explore with various objects. Let them create and see what they come up with."
Here are ten box activities you can easily set up for the children in your group:
APPLIANCE BOXES
Houses:
They are great for building houses. Let your children determine where windows and doors go and for safety reasons, you can do the cutting. They can be placed either horizontally or vertically. Let your children place a child-size chair and a few toys inside. Allow them to paint "indoors" and "outdoors". Children like to hide inside big boxes.
Transportation Methods:
Turn the boxes into transportation methods such as: trucks, boats, cars, or airplanes. The children will enjoy getting in and out of the boxes. They might want a red fire truck, or a trailer. Use construction paper to form props, such as wheels, steering wheel, and mirrors. Take the time to make these props together.
SUPERMARKET BOXES
Pull Box:
