Crayola: Creative Thinking

For more than a century, Crayola has been helping parents and educators raise creatively alive children through craft, art and play. Crayola gives License Global an exclusive lesson on how to help kids express themselves and the latest tools, toys and tips inspiring that all-important question, "What if?"

License Global, Content Editor

August 26, 2021

2 Min Read
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While the world around our children is ever-changing, play and self-expression remain key pillars in the growth of a creatively confident individual. But creative play and social expression are different from traditional play patterns, and to educate kids, provide teachers and parents with the right resources or build the best possible experience takes dedicated insight.  

"There are about a dozen traditional play patterns," says Cheri Sterman, director, education, Crayola. "Some focus on physical activity (e.g., rough and tumble play) while games with rules tend to be part of the mastery play pattern (e.g., chess and sports), where the goal is to advance a score. Creative play is different because it does not have pre-scribed rules, is rarely scored and is driven by the child or playgroup, not established precedents. At Crayola, we like to say, 'When something is created, something bigger happens.' Whenever you create something, you put a part of yourself in it. Your painting, sketch or original song is based on your original ideas. That is very empowering for children. People tend to remember experiences that elicit strong emotions. Creative play allows children to express their feelings in safe and meaningful ways – so these are significant experiences in every child's development."  

The ability to communicate feelings through creative play is a vital part of what makes us human, Sterman tells us, and it's not a new notion as the universal need to express and draw ideas has always been with us.

"Creative self-expression is part of our human DNA," says Sterman. "Watch young children take sticks and draw in the sand. They are hard-wired to make marks that show what they think and feel. Young children know they are artists, but their creative confidence can begin to wane at around ages 8-10 if their self-expression is not encouraged. Around this age, kids become self-conscious and question if their drawings are 'good enough.' Honoring the creative genius in children and providing them with age-appropriate tools that engage them will keep their creative mindsets growing."  

Read more about Crayola in the August issue of License Global, out now!

About the Author

License Global

Content Editor, License Global

License Global is the leading news source for the brand licensing industry, delivering award-winning editorial content including news, trends, analysis, and special reports about the global consumer product and retail marketplace.

Through its print edition, website, daily e-newsletter and event publications, License Global reaches more than 150,000 executives and professionals in all major markets. The magazine also serves as the official publication for the sector’s trade events, which include Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, France Licensing Day, Licensing for Retail, Licensing Expo Japan, Licensing Expo Shanghai and the Licensing Leadership Summit.

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