How To Cultivate Imagination

By: Stephen C Campbell

Learning begins at birth and children learn things by playing. Creative play helps them in solving problems by imagining a particular thing. Children should be introduced and provided with learning opportunities early in their lives. This helps them in developing the skill set of a child and helps in its growth. With the help of playing puzzles, he develops social, physical, emotional and cognitive skills. These skills are very important in the development of a child.

Imagination and creativity is also developed in the him with the help of play. Any game that is creative allows self-expression and in the process builds their imagination and self belief in themselves. The skills of solving problems are also developed in a him by creative play.

A question may arise as to how creative play helps in the imagination and learning process of a child. By repetition of the skills required during play the children can develop imaginary skills. A puzzle that is creative offers various new ways to think and solve a problem. He is bound to think of solving different problems in different ways. This enhances his imaginary skills and develops his mind. If he interacts with others while solving a problem the social skills are developed. Different perspective and values are appreciated. By playing creative games there is enhancement of emotional development as by playing children can express their feeling among themselves. Each child has a unique personality and style of expressing themselves and both these qualities emerge during the course of play.

The parents should play an important role in developing the imaginary skills of the child. The toys and play things provided by parents should be exploratory and should develop creativity. Classical toys that are not electronically run and do not run on media are useful in developing the creative imagination of the child. These kinds of toys encourage cooperation and participation and in the process help in stimulating the learning process and have an interaction between children. The parents can play a vital role in the playing time of the child and in the learning process. Toys that are non-electronic are usually unstructured and have no rules.

The parents should give positive feedback to their children when they perform well in a game. One should ask questions to him and in case the child asks questions proper answers should be provided apart from encouraging questions. He should be encouraged to come up with more than a solution. The view of "not a single right answer" to a question should be incorporated into the minds of the child. This will help the child in thinking about a problem in different ways and different possible solutions. Time should be allowed for free play.

Toys that do not encourage creativity and imagination in the child should not be encouraged. A good range of toys should be provided. These play experiences in the formative years of the child helps in developing several skills like independence, competence and resourcefulness that are required in the life of a person.

About the Author Stephen C Campbell (Master NLP Practitioner) has published more information on Developing Memory and mastering your life at http://www.memorydevelopmentmastery.com

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