Imagination Will Get You Everywhere

The next time your child approaches you wearing a crazy get-up and proclaiming themselves to be "Captain Of The Universe," take a moment to appreciate them and their creation.  By joining them in their pretend world, even for just a few moments, will give your child a confidence and self-esteem boost!  You will recognize this when your child "lights up," becoming more animated and expressive.  Their delight will be easy to recognize.  For the child, your participation gives them complete control of their world, when so often they feel like everyone else holds that power.

You can also encourage imaginative play by using toys that help your child create an alternate persona.  Toys like doctor kits, pretend kitchens with faux food, costumes or "stores" with pretend cash registers and money/credit cards.  Musical instruments are excellent for pretend play while also providing the child the benefit of making and manipulating sounds.

There are three very good reasons why an investment today in your child's imaginative play will bring a great return on that investment in the future.

• Development Of Language

One of the best things about pretending to be someone other than themselves is that it gives the child an opportunity to express that character verbally with words and language they wouldn't normally use.  This brings more sense to their world and understanding of how the adults relate to each other.

• Social Skills

Imaginative play with their peers offers the child an opportunity to "practice" how they relate to others.  Sharing is a natural behavior in this type of play and it gives us the opportunity to teach empathy skills and cooperation as well.

• Enhancing Imagination

Using your imagination is not only fun but it is also essential to a happy and fulfilling life.  If we did not have people with great imaginations, we would not build rocket ships to journey into space or make new scientific breakthroughs.  Imagination offers us the chance to build a better world.

  

So the next time your child runs past you with a shield made from a colander and a sword made from a stick, grab a sheet and tie it around your neck and join your child in vanquishing the dragons from the backyard.  Your child will benefit in many ways and you will probably experience an uptick in your own self-esteem as a bonus.

“Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.” 

― Albert Einstein

For toy ideas that will bring out the super hero in your child, visit our website or give one of our toy guides a call at 303-443-0780. 

(This blog was originally published 12.14.14)