A Child’s Imagination…..

Whether through the reading of books, telling of stories, singing of songs, or active play a child’s imagination prepares them for life. Using all of the vehicles mentioned children re-enact scenarios they have observed at home. In my 16 plus years of teaching, I have observed these re-enactments take place on a daily basis. The way mom talks on the phone while doing the dishes. The re-enacting of daddy going to more than one job. Like sponges children watch and soak in what they see as the way life should play out. Then with their imaginations they re-create their interpretations of what they have observed.

The child’s imagination is a very serious arena. As adults we must understand the complexities of the child’s imagination. As I shared with the father of one of my students after observing the child at play this area is serious. There should be importance placed on what children are exposed to or as sponges allowed to soak into their imaginations. A child observes someone being shot on one channel. The same child turns to another channel as sees the person who was previously shot doing a commercial. In the imagination of a child it is not fatal for someone to be shot with a gun.

The child’s imagination is also an arena of unlimited possibilities that include excitement and growth experiences. An imagination can be a pure fertile ground of good benefits. In an article placed in Reader’s Digest, some of the areas a child’s imagination benefits them are listed as; Developing social skills, Building self-confidence, Practicing language skills, and Working out fears (5 Benefits of Encouraging Your Child's Imagination, 2013).

          Through playing and pretending a child can navigate through a variety of ideas in
coping and handling situations. An adult can be on hand to ask those questions that will bring
deeper thoughts of unlimited possibilities.

These children took connecting blocks, made a “T” shape and called them cell phones. They then proceeded to call each other.

The artist of this painting named it “Rainbows”. She always paints rainbows. When asked why she stated, “When there is a rainbow you can paint whatever you want a flower, a cow, or goose.”

This group was simply having a meal they prepared. During the preparation they were able to voice their dislikes, and dictate who would perform each task

Imaginative play not only teaches problem solving skills, but also possibilities.

Reference

         5 Benefits of Encouraging Your Child's Imagination. (2013, September 13). Retrieved 2013, from Reader's Digest: www.rd.com/advice/parenting