The Power of Imagination
I jokingly refer to my firstborn’s second birthday as the Year of the Box. It was around this time when I realized that birthday presents and Christmas gifts were of absolutely no interest to my inquisitive little boy—all he really wanted to do was play with the box the gift came in.
It’s no surprise then that my husband and I considered the train table that made its way into our home on his next birthday a two-part gift. Sure, there was the train table itself. But then there was also something equally enticing: the fantastic piece of cardboard it came in! That box was bulky and cumbersome and, heaven knows, it didn’t add any aesthetic value to our home. But it lived a long life—many lives, actually. It was a spaceship, a race car, a barn, a zoo and, lastly, a house that, according to my then preschool-aged son, had specs that put the latest HGTV dream home to shame. It was a place not only for pretend but a winning locale for hide and seek, a great new residence for a growing collection of stuffed animals and blankets, not to mention a surprising spot for nap time. That box wasn’t the first in our house nor the last, but it served as a great reminder that it doesn’t take much for a child’s imagination to run wild.
Albert Einstein once said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution." Our own little budding geniuses need time to explore, harness their own imaginations and understand their world around them through play. As parents, we can open this world to them in some very simple ways.
Keep It Simple (Like, Really Simple!)
Toys that talk and flash and move may seem exciting at first blush, but all the bells and whistles seldom hold a child’s attention for very long. Why? It’s simple. When a toy does all the work on behalf of a child, it doesn’t leave room for the child to be much more than be a spectator. (And, let’s be honest, what parent actually likes housing any more devices that add commotion to the mix?) The simpler the toy, the easier it is for a child to unlock its potential in a multitude of functions. Because not all toys are created equal, be choosy about what you allow in your doors. Go for quality open-ended toys such as Legos, Lincoln Logs and wooden blocks over a quantity of any other. And don’t underestimate the value on non-toy “toys,” things like empty cereal boxes, canned goods and reusable shopping bags to supply an imaginary grocery store, or stationery and postcards for a writing station. A costume closet can be built on the cheap by hitting consignment sales and garage sales, or find them new in stores or online the day after Halloween. Lastly, a collection of tools and old electronics, such as retired cd players, computers or phones make for a perfect maker space. Before doing away with old devices, let your child tinker away. At worst, they have a mess on their hands but will learn the basic parts of a device. At best, you might discover that you have the makings of great in-house tech support!
Less Is More
Minimalism is something of a buzzword these days, but clean spaces have a timeless merit and the science to prove it. Just as our bodies operate and integrate several complex systems in an organized fashion, so our brains desire external environments that are equally as tidy. Psychotherapist and professional organizer Cindy Glovinsky says, “Order feels good, in part, because it's easier for our brains to deal with and not have to work so hard.” This is not only true of adults but also of children. Is it any wonder when every item in the playroom is dumped, a child often leaves to find something else to do? Overstimulating spaces can be overwhelming and produce anxiety. Keeping toy collections and clutter to a minimum makes for a happy family. But one big benefit of the less is more philosophy is that it allows physical space for kids to be more engaged in the toys and spaces they do have. If you can’t stomach getting rid of the massive toy collection your kids have acquired throughout the years, consider keeping only a portion of the toys out and rotating them to keep them fresh and engaging.
Take a Journey Without Moving an Inch
Imaginations take flight when given a little inspiration. When you read books together, you’re giving your child a passport to new worlds on and off the pages. How can you not help but root for Wilbur to live and mourn when Charlotte dies within Charlotte’s Web? Likewise, readers hope and pray that James and his motley crew of buggy friends make it to dry land in James and the Giant Peach. And there’s nothing quite like entering the world of Narnia, where it is always winter but never Christmas, for the very first time. Before you know it, your children will be pretending to be a beloved character off on some heroic quest, and key words and catchphrases from books will become part of your family culture.
Join in the Fun
I have a funcle (a fun uncle) that made every encounter as a child awesome. He gave his full and undivided attention when I talked to him and he always had an arsenal of new jokes on hand—not to mention, an uncanny ability to pull quarters out of my ears! Less some spare change, our encounters never cost him a thing, but I always looked forward to seeing him because he was a child at heart himself. We parents all desire to do the same, but let’s admit it, play can be hard as an adult. There are dishes to clean, mounting laundry piles to fold and bills to pay. Sometimes, sitting on the floor and being the tickle monster seems like a mis-prioritized way to spend a few minutes. But playing with your kids sends an important message. It tells them they take priority over all the other things vying for your time.
Top 5 Reasons for Imaginative Play
- Increases language skills
- Boosts social and emotional skills
- Improves problem-solving abilities
- Promotes self-awareness
- Provides a means of decompression
Lauren Greenlee is a boy mom of three who loves nothing more than building a fort with her boys and reading with a flashlight inside. She writes from her Olathe home.