When you see a group of children playing on the playground or maybe in your backyard, what are they doing when they are running, pointing and huddling making plans. More than likely, they are reenacting what they have seen on TV… maybe Spiderman or Paw Patrol.
What we think as adults is, “Look at the children using their imagination!” I am sad to say but that thought is WRONG. Children who are roleplaying a character are imitating what they have seen. No imagination is being used.
What is imagination? Imagination is using what you know about the world around you to create something brand new.
Some great examples of imagination include: The creation of the internet, the computer, Google and the Amazon system. Before these technology milestones, there was no such thing. Side note: many of these technology giants had Montessori experiences as a child.
Our children today will have jobs that are not created yet and the skills they need are not known. What we need are children developing imagination along with other skills such as problem solving, communicating ideas and thinking critically through ideas.
What can we do to help our children develop their imagination? Limit technology, buy open-ended toys (blocks, Legos, dolls), art supplies, time outside. But most importantly, un-scheduled time to just play. When we have children scheduled from school to dance to scouts to homework to bed, when do children have time to just be children.
Which brings us to boredom. When you hear your child say, “I’m Bored”. What does that really mean?
Maybe, the child is so used to being entertained by a screen, that being pushed to create something from nothing feels horrible. Maybe the child is so used to engaging with the adults around, it feels lonely to play without an adult. Maybe the child is so used to the toys directing the learning, having no direction is scarry.
Begin with 10-minute increments when pushing your child(ren) to play. It will be hard at first with a lot of redirections, but it is well worth it.
When we know better, we do better!