Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge Pre-Primary shares on why the imagination is a powerful tool and why it is important in the development of a child.
Grade 00 teacher, Carey du Toit spoke on this important issue as she recounted some interesting anecdotes she has encountered with her own children and as a teacher.
“My four-year-old son speaks of his ‘house’ under the sea, and then all of a sudden ‘his house’ is my granny’s house. His ‘house’ moves around the world and the amazing and interesting things that happen at ‘his’ house are quite something,” shared Du Toit.
Adding, Einstein famously said: ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.’
As a mother of three boys and a preschool teacher, she has heard many wonderful stories created by the imagination.”I often wonder what has stirred these thoughts on and I enjoy playing along with them.”
Du Toit explained that a child’s imagination has an important role in their development, as imaginary play is a way for children to strengthen their understanding of the world around them.
“This play involves them acting out experiences they have had or something that is of interest to them. Children use imaginary play to work through their feelings, feelings of uncertainty, fear, anxiety and even joy and excitement,” said Du Toit.
She also said parents can learn a lot about what their children are thinking, feeling or worrying about by observing their child’s imaginary play. As children often engage in cooperative imaginary play with other children and through this, they learn from each other’s imagination.
“Encourage your children to play outside and not to always be placed in front of a screen. Let them be creative by supplying them with different art materials, read stories to your child, and ask them open-ended questions. Help them to explore, to imagine and to grow.”
ALSO READ: Bells ring for the Grade1s at Trinityhouse Preparatory School
