Creativity in messy play among preschool children

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating creativity in messy play among preschool children. The concern was to identify three stages of messy play that can stimulate preschoolers in deriving their creativity and, similarly, to observe the creative ability exhibited by preschool children during the whole of messy play activities. Participants consisted of two preschool principals and a total of eight children 5 or 6 years of age from two selected preschools in Selangor, Malaysia. An interview was conducted with the principals, which along with their verbal answers were taken into account and transcribed into data. Three stages of messy play activities that vary in material were engaged by the eight children. They were interviewed, observed, and recorded in video while the activities were carried out. Outcomes collected were transcribed and analyzed based on the development of young children's creativity. The study was based on qualitative research methodology. We found stages of messy play are practicable to develop preschool children in the development of creativity. Moreover, the creative ability in preschoolers has been comprehensively testified through all stages of messy play. To sum up, it is certain that messy play does entice preschool children's creativity. Further proposal of research could target on children aged 4 years and younger to investigate their creativity through messy play, plus further aspects of young children's development that could be enhanced through messy play.