Imagination

In class we've been exploring/discussing the uses of imagination. Imagination is a primary faculty of the learning brain; it is the function that allows the human mind to do the advanced kind of thinking required for going "outside the box," for seeing "old" situations in new ways. Imagining is a way of using the mind and heart that assists your child in creative problem solving. Problems can be resolved by "imagining" their possible solutions and/or the end results of a given situation. We can all practice this process with children in our everyday lives. The situation given below is a fun one because it can be done with as many participants in your family as you choose.

Imagine that your child could spend one whole day with the family, and that your child was the primary decision-maker for that day.

What would that day be like? Imagine everything your family would be seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, tasting, etc. Without telling your child, illustrate and write a few sentences about that day. Then, have your child do the same (the non-writers can just draw and then "show and tell"; for "emergent writers," just accept their writing, without critiquing it, allowing them to interpret it). Once both of you or all of your family has completed this, compare each other's creations at a family sharing time. Enjoy the same/different experiences shared and please return all of them to school on Monday.