How Imagination and Dreams can support you to support your child’s development.
Children are naturally creative.
It’s easy to observe a child in play and see how they let their imagination run wild. I see that in my daughter Zoe all the time. She will play with her stuffed animals and they will all have different names and roles, living different stories within a bigger story. Different objects have purposes other than what they were originally intended for.
The ability of your child to imagine and daydream contributes to their successful growth and development. When a child has special needs, their spontaneous inclination to imagination and dreaming could be interfered with. Your child will need your support to help wake up their capacity for imagination so that they will have the opportunity to upgrade their cognition to a higher level of functioning.
Imagination ‘turns the lights on’ throughout your child’s brain, creating billions of new connections. When you support your child to form new connections through imagination and dreaming, you are supporting your child’s ability to move beyond their limitations and create new possibilities that would not otherwise be possible.
Image courtesy of dream designs at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR YOU
Imaginative Play
Using non-sensical words and silly acts are more than just funny. They challenge us to think out of the box. If your child has difficulty controlling the movement of their arms or legs, you could help your child imagine that their arms are made of feathers, like the wings of a bird, as you guide them to move their arms, helping them to soar through the air in their mind’s eye.
Alternatively, you could tie a large bunch of imaginary helium balloons (like the ones they get for their birthdays) to their wrists. While you gently guide your child through the movement of lifting their arms, have them imagine the lightness of their arms as the balloons float up into the sky.
Expand your own imagination and support your child to feel movements in their body with greater ease all while playing with them.
Creative Storytelling
Tell or read your favourite stories but with a twist. ‘Change up’ the scenarios or events that occur. Observe your child’s response and nurture their interest. Use descriptive language to support and stimulate your child’s ability to ‘see’ these images in their mind’s eye.
And if your child talks, invite them to participate in creating stories of a less familiar kind, using language such as: What if…? I wonder how…? Imagine that…?
Challenge your own creativity. How could you make an ordinary story both extraordinary and engaging for your child?
Dreaming Up Possibilities
Whenever you and your child are getting ready for or planning an activity, brainstorm the different possibilities. Take for example, an activity as simple as going to the park. I wonder what the weather will be like? Is it going to be hot or cold? What would you like to wear? How could we get to the park? We can walk, take a taxi or bus, drive, fly an airplane or ride a horse? What type of plane would your like to fly in? A helicopter? What colour horse would you like? As you can see, the possibilities are endless!
Explore all the different scenarios even though in your mind you’re sure that there is only one or maybe a few logical choices, but that’s not the point here. It’s all about fun. The more impossible and crazy it gets, the more fun it would be for your child.
As parents, when you stimulate and support your child’s imagination throughout their daily activities, you will add another layer of richness to your interactions. Your child will benefit in ways that are beyond your own imagination, and so will you!
QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO PONDER:
- When was the last time I allowed myself to dream BIG?
- Which areas of my life could use more imagination?
- How can I support my own creative thinking?
Now it’s up to you to engage yourself in this process.
