Are We Killing The Imagination of Our Children?

“The world is but a canvas to our imagination” – Henry D. Thoreau

I am one mother who strongly supports open ended play. I believe it inculcates decision making power apart from promoting creativity and innovation.

What exactly is meant by open ended play?

It simply means to give (or don’t give) certain objects to your kid with which she is free to do anything. Play dough, blocks, sand are good examples of open ended play. It boosts the thinking power of the child and allows her to sketch her own canvas.

Of late, we have seen mothers planning activities for their child with such precision. Kudos to such patience and thought. Though every mother wants the best for her child, but don’t you think in the process, you are making the child utterly dependent on you. Such children would grow up as followers instead of leaders. They would always need someone to guide them as to how to do the job.

I am not saying that do not engage with the kid. Of course! You should. But my only submission is, engage, but to an extent. Allow the child to explore. My friend had brought leaves and flowers of different colours for her daughter’s activity of colour sorting. The child did sort the colours. We left the child for a while as we got busy chatting. When we again had a look at her, she was mashing the leaves and was collecting the liquid in her kitchen set. She tried to do so with the flowers as well. When quizzed she said she is preparing juices for her tea party. That is creativity. Making something out of  nothing.

And let me tell you guys, life doesn’t come with a set of instructions.  It is only ‘jugaad’ which helps us live through the ups and downs. Therefore, instead of instructing, stimulate the young minds and you will be amazed at what you see.

This article is an entry for BLOG-A-THON.

#toddlerlearning #earlydevelopmentandbehaviour #playgames #blogathon