Last week we had good friends of ours staying as guests for the week. One of the many positive aspects of our relationship is that they have two little girls the same exact ages (within weeks of each other) as our two little boys. Corresponding friendships formed the first time they all met each other, and, although we, as the parents, think it is a bit early, our four-year-olds are already planning on getting married. (I think we are all still calm since they clearly do not understand the concept fully at this point.)
All of our children have very vivid imaginations, and we adults spent a fair amount of time reveling in the fact that they were able to become totally immersed in the Land of Make-Believe. This is a feat adults tend to find more difficult than children. However, it can also serve as an opportunity to engage your child in conversations that you would not normally have.
The next time you see your child imagining to be a princess, knight, zoo animal, or any other make-believe role, join in on the fun. Place yourself in the role of the rescuing prince, the beautiful princess, or the zookeeper. Allow your child to guide the play as much as possible, but use the opportunity to get her thinking by asking questions. If she is interested in the topic, delve into it further by borrowing books from the library or by dictating a story and drawing pictures.
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Written by Laura on July 9, 2010
When I think back to my elementary school days, I can clearly remember being told to stop daydreaming. I was one of those students whom a teacher made a special point not to sit next to the door or, heaven forbid, the windows. I loved to stare at the clouds using my imagination to create pictures in the sky. Although my timing was not appropriate, encouraging a child to use their imagination ca
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Written by Laura on January 29, 2010
Children naturally have a lot of creative juices flowing through their little brains. Their imaginations often seem to be on overdrive, especially when we want or need them to be more grounded. Of course, it is usually best to let kids express their creativeness freely. However, it can also be very beneficial to help them harness their imaginations into something that is both fun and producti
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Written by Laura on May 15, 2009
