Living in the imaginary world of having your head up in the clouds can often be used by some as an insult, implying that one is losing grip on reality. But those people know little about the range of beneficial impacts imagination can have on kids when it comes to accepting reality and handling it the right way.
Imagination as first hand experience
Imagination plays a very important part in the process of a child getting to know the world. Through it children get a feel of how things work without actually being part of the experience. For example kids can fathom the historical chain of events that led to today’s stand and speculate about it’s progress in the future. Therefore imagination helps them to better understand reality.
Imagination as career counselor
All children love to dream up interesting or often nonexistent jobs that are constantly changing. This is a very formative process in the life of a child that can continue into teen years. Throughout the process child eliminates interests and narrows down choices according to his character and imagination.
Imagination as emotion guide
Imagining different situations and play-acting accordingly teaches children to express their feelings and distinguish emotions such as sadness, happiness, anger, fear and shame.
Imagination as problem solving tool
Stepping in someone else’s shoes and adapting the circumstances is what every kid does while playing roleplaying games. These can be very beneficial in many ways: Kids are faced with a variety of obstacles overcoming which sharpens their problem solving skills visibly. Pretending to be a different person makes a child appreciate different aspects of character they personifying in the game; Manner of communication changes according to the scenario that’s being played out.
Imagination as fuel for creativity
Imagination is the very fundament of creativity. Studies show that creativity in later life is a direct result of imaginative games played at an young age.
The way imagination works is exactly the opposite of a rubber band – the more you stretch it the more it can be stretched. Pretend play is nothing more than building up an imaginary world for trying out different scenarios.
By the means of exploring imaginary worlds children get a better understanding of themselves and the world around them without being limited in any way.