The Importance of Imagination Discussed by Helene Goldnadel It might be hard to believe that searching under the bed for blue monsters with round yellow eyes could be a good thing - but it is. That's because imaginationeven when its working overtime, is critical to your child's development. Here are the reasons discussed by Helene Goldnadel why:
1) Imagination helps children make the connection between their behavior and consequences. Everything we do has a consequence. Consequences, however, are not necessarily negative; they simply mean that when you do one thing, something else happens.
As a baby your child learned that when they cried, you came. They also learned that when they shook a rattle, it made a noise, or when they kicked their feet, their body moved. As children get older, they can use their imagination to picture their behavior, and to imagine the response that takes place. That allows them to experiment with things in their mind without actually having to carry out the act.
Instead of grabbing her favorite toy from her little sister's hands, your child can now anticipate that a crying sister means an unhappy mom. Translation: I'd better find a different way of getting my toy back.
2) Pretend play gives your child a closer look at the complexities of human nature. Small children tend to see people as either good or bad. They have a hard time