Your Child's Imagination and You!

Build a World of Fun and Grow Along with Them

Having your child learn to use their imagination is a very important part of our job as parents. Giving them the skills to think outside the box will spur them to new heights in the future. If you are at a loss for how to get them started, then this article is for you.

Starting your child's imagination is one of the easiest things in the world to do. Often, we complicate things, and try to micromanage even these types of tasks. The first lesson in our tour of building your child's imagination is to let go. Don't get wrapped up in structure. Realize that while you may start off talking about Barney on a train, it may quickly turn into Elmo in a plane. You do not want to organize a child's imagination when they are first starting to learn to use it. This will inhibit them, and defeat the purpose of imagination in the first place. Let them wander freely through the worlds that exist in their mind's eye. As a matter of fact, go along for the ride!

If your child tends to be a bit shy about diving into an imaginary place out loud, then start out with drawings. Let them scribble out on paper the things they see and eventually they will open up about what they are drawing, and therefore, seeing. Keep an open commentary, and ask questions that would interest them. What color is the bird? How far can he fly? Is he a bird you have seen before? What is his name? All of these would be questions that allow the child to consider new things about the scene they are seeing. Be patient with your child, and allow them to the time to come out of their shell. Imagination has a way of bringing them out all by itself.

Make up some story ideas ahead of time, and talk to your child about what you see in your imagination. Your own imagination is as vital and important as the childs. If you are hopping around in the manner of a bunny, then so too will they. Don't be afraid to climb into the sandbox with them, and build that imaginary city. You will be amazed at how much fun it is to no longer be Mommy or Daddy, and just to be their sandbox buddy. Children ape what they see, and you are the main primate. Don't ever grow up so much that you can't give your child the fun of imagination.