Creative Play for Families of Under 3s

1. Boxes, Bottles and Bath-Puffs

2. Freelance Arts Practitioner
Owner of Busybug: Art and
Creative Play for Under 5s
Play Development Worker
at Play On Wheels Dundee
Jordan Butler
BA Hons Illustration
PGDip Communication Design

3. Agenda
1. Memories of Play: What was it for you?
2. Nourish, Love and Play: The essentials in early development
3. Ways to Play: Activities and practical advice
4. Engaging Families: Application in work

4. Memories of Play
“Play is so integral to childhood
that a child who does not have the
opportunities to play is cut off from a
major portion of childhood.”
- Musselwhite

5. Nourish, Love and Play
“The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct.”
- Carl Jung

7. Ways to Play with Under 3s
Sensory Sorting

8. Ways to Play with Under 3s
Splashing Scooping Squishing

9. In Practice How could you encourage
families to play in practice?
“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.”
- O. Fred Donaldson

10. jojosbutler@gmail.com
07877 422180
facebook.com/hellobusybugs
slideshare.net/jojosbutler

11. Core Benefits of Play
- Cognitive development
- Communication: Speech and language
- Stronger attachment with caregivers who play
- Confidence
- Fine motor skills
- Social interaction
- Early creative thinking
- Better imagination
- Higher levels of self-esteem
- Easier transition into formal education
(Learning through play is a natural precursor
to early years structured learning throughout
the different areas of the curriculum)
SORT: Stack, Sprinkle, Post and Pile
Muffin tins, bowls, boxes, homemade
post box, tin sorting, egg box filling,
tower building, treasure baskets...
SCOOP: Dig, Bury, Discover
Digging tools, containers, fine
materials for burying and digging:
oats, sand, soil, rice, pasta,
vegetables, any small and safe items
to bury, spoons, ladles...
Suggested Materials and Activities: Under 3s love to...
SPLASH: Lovely Liquids
Water, bubbles, foam, food colouring,
cotton wool, tissue paper, plastic cups,
plain or corn flour, bath-puffs, plastic
bottles, glitter…
SQUISH: Mould, Squeeze, Shape
Soft and safe materials, experiencing
with the hands: cooked pasta,
homemade play dough, fresh and
frozen berries, jelly, couscous...
SENSE: Smell, See, Hear and Feel
Feel textures against the skin on the
face and with hands, make noise:
light scarves, feathers, organza bags
with cinnamon, rough surfaces, make
a simple textures board, sponges,
bash pots and pans, ice shapes…
Encouraging Free Play: Advise Families to...
1. Converse with under 3s, even if they can’t ‘understand’.
2. Let the child lead the play by not setting boundaries, unless for safety.
3. Ask them what they are making / doing; don’t suggest too much.
4. Play like a child. Remember how you felt when you were young and try to
recreate that freedom.
5. Try to make time for play with your child, without distractions, at least
once a day. Even half an hour provides all of the core benefits over time.
6. Find ways to keep mess to a minimum by using the kitchen or highchair.
7. Remind them of the inspiration around them for play.
(No expensive toys necessary!)
8. Combine reading stories together with free play follow-on activities.
For example, digging for toy dinosaurs after a dino story.
Jordan Butler: Art and Creative play for Under 5s
jojosbutler@gmail.com / 07877 422180
www.facebook.com/hellobusybugs
www. slideshare.net/jojosbutler