A Crisis of Imagination
The world needs imagination. From small, personal issues (how to respond when someone teases you) to humanity's greatest challenges (how to combat climate change), imagination can produce creative ways of solving life's problems. It's the foundation for all innovation and invention.
Yet research indicates that although IQ continues to rise, imagination has declined since 1990, presumably the victim of too many screens, too much testing, too little free time, and other (unknown) factors. That's why it's essential to nurture your child's imagination. You'll be building a better world in the process. Here are some ideas.
--- Jenny Friedman, Executive Director
ACTION
Be intentional about allowing your child plenty of time and space with no structured activities.
Provide open-ended toys, such as wooden blocks, a puppet theater, a dollhouse, a play kitchen, toy workshop tools, and dress-up clothes. Keep a healthy supply of creativity-inducing, low-tech materials, such as art supplies, an inventor's box, or a tinker box.
Create a tradition of storytelling. Reminisce about your own childhood, share recollections of your parents' and grandparents' lives, and recall memories of your child's younger years. Also weave fantasy tales together (Where do you think they lived? What do you think happened next?) or make up tales about imaginary friends. Stories help us see the world through a new lens.
Get outside. Take a hike, build a fort, imagine you're explorers. Offer a backyard basket of playthings (Frisbees, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, balls, water toys, magnifying glass, flashlight, net) to encourage imaginative art, games, and investigations.
Encourage your child to participate in the stories you read together. Ask "What if..." (What if the girl hadn't come to the rescue? What if the dog hadn't run away?). Ask other questions that spark imagination (What else might that character have done? What would you have done in that situation? How would you have ended the story?)
Embrace diverse experiences. Be open to visiting new places, eating unfamiliar foods, going to cultural gatherings. Expose your family to novel ideas and new ways of looking at the world.
Welcome failure and mistakes as means to discovery. When we don't fear failure, we are more open to trying new, innovative solutions to problems.
CONVERSATION
Using these prompts, start a conversation with your family about imagination. These questions can get the gift-giving conversation going in time for the winter holidays.
Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." Do you think that's true? Why or why not? Can engineers or scientists be just as imaginative as artists?
While IQ has been rising steadily, tests of imagination indicate that it has been declining. Assuming the researchers have it right, why do you think that is?
Do you think we get less imaginative as we get older? If so, why do you think that is?
Some people think that climate change represents a monumental failure of human imagination. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Can you list some ways that imagination has solved critical human problems? What problems have you solved using your imagination?
Do you have (or have you ever had) an imaginary friend? If so, tell me about them.
Is there a connection between empathy and imagination? If so, what is it?
Can imagination be dangerous? If so, give more examples.
What can we do to keep our imaginations alive?
BOOKS
Journey by Aaron Becker. Ages 4-8. This award-winning story of imagination and friendship is told entirely through pictures. Enjoy each page silently with your children for a simple, mindful activity, then have everyone share their thoughts at the end. Or invite your child to tell the story to you.
Check out our list of creativity-themed picture books. They are sure to spark more conversations on imagination.
INSPIRATION
The world is but a canvas for our imaginations.
--- Henry David Thoreau, American essayist, poet, philosopher