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Imagination is incredibly powerful! I am always amazed at the things my three children come up with. Six-year-old Emma created the Zen-like garden play set pictured above. It’s a creative, calming activity that she enjoys, as well as a fun sensory experience.
Two-year-old Lily is my most verbal child, and her imaginary worlds live within her head, requiring few props. I’ve seen her play for hours with simple strips of paper that become people, buildings, cars – whatever she needs for her small world play.
Four-year-old Johnny has a passion for drawing. He rarely talks about the things he draws, but creates amazing worlds full of characters and props – based off of real life, inspired by books and signs he sees, and completely original creatures of his own making.
I was thrilled to see that the Memetales devoted a week to imagination for their summer Readathon! Emma loved Night Boy and Doors in the Air this week, and all three kids enjoyed There’s a Dinosaur in the Park!
How do you see your children using their imagination?
Disclosure: As a power leader for MeMeTales I get free copies of books that I write about.
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What wonderful ways to let their imaginations soar!
Visit JDaniel4′s Mom … Taking Time to Play- Footprints in the Sand
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LOVE kids using their imagination! My kids have had so much imagination play since we’ve been here in SA. I love it!
Visit Jen … a slower pace
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maryanne Reply:
July 11th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
I can see how moving back to SA would get their imaginations going full-force!
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I love the photos of your kids. It is so neat how their imaginations work in different ways. : )
Visit Bethany @ No Twiddle Twaddle … Storytelling 101: Tell Stories Your Kid Will Love
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maryanne Reply:
July 11th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Thank you! Imagination is a fascinating thing, isn’t it!
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It’s been a long time since I’ve commented and it feels great to have some balance back in my life and visit your space here again.
It is such a privilege to witness children use their imaginations. It always brings a smile to my face when I see, or hear, their imaginative thoughts.
Visit Elise … Blocks and Contact
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maryanne Reply:
July 11th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
You have three very imaginative children!
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I love this!! A child’s imagination is so important, they can be so creative. :)
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It’s so great how their different personalities come through the way each child approaches creative play. I’ve noticed a general trend where Nikki enjoys mothering activities, Michael likes going places, and Vi creates imaginary food and hands it out. They each do some of what the others do as well, which makes for a very interesting but harmonious mish-mash!
Visit Elisa | blissfulE … Nikki clips her hair up
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maryanne Reply:
July 11th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
I would love to see that mish-mash!
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I remember reading once that a child engaging in creative play is using their entire brain, while a child engaging in an outside-directed activity uses only small portions of the brain. I believe it–children’s imaginative worlds are so rich and full of ideas.
Visit Sarah … Solar System
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maryanne Reply:
July 11th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
That’s fascinating – I can see how it would be true!
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I’m with you. I love a child’s imagination.
Visit Ticia … How to make Gospel Fuzzies
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I think our children would really enjoy playing together!
In our home nothing is what it is! The children are always creating and pretending. All it takes are a few twist ties, straws, scraps of paper, rocks, twigs, shells . . . MacGyver tends to build and construct amazing projects. Miss Enigma is always singing, talking and creating scenarios. She knows no limits on her imagination. When they put together their strengths and interest they can play for hours with little or no toys.
Currently, one of their favorite games is to play “Spy Dog” with our dog Shadow out in the backyard. There friends even get in on this pretend spy game. :)
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maryanne Reply:
July 11th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
“Spy Dog” sounds like a very exciting game!
And yes, I think our children would have a fantastic time together!
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I love seeing my son’s imagination at work. All of the language and skills he practices while storytelling is very cool, too.
Visit Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories … Doors Inspire Imaginations #readforgood
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maryanne Reply:
July 11th, 2012 at 12:58 pm
I think imaginative play is a great way to learn!
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Your kids are so creative!
Visit Jenny … Summer Happenings Part 4
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I haven’t dyed rice yet. I bet that would look neat on a light table.
Visit Veronica … Making Aprons
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maryanne Reply:
July 10th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Dyed rice would be very fun on a light table! Which reminds me, making one of those is on my to-do list…
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I always love to see how your children use their imaginations. I think this is where playmates and siblings are super important, because they feed off each other’s ideas. A stone can become a kitten, and another stone can be a wolf – no toys or props needed when children are in the flow of their imaginative games.
Visit Natalie … Week In Review–July 8, 2012
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maryanne Reply:
July 11th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
I agree that siblings and playmates can really enrich a child’s imaginative world!
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Celebrating imagination is so important! I love seeing this and thinking of my little guys when the baby is a bit older! My toddler has such an active imagination – http://jennifischer.blogspot.com/2012/04/making-something-out-of-nothing-in.html
Visit Jen Fischer … Ten for Tuesday: Summertime Sandy Play
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maryanne Reply:
July 11th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
It is so fun to see them play together!!!
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I LOVE imaginative play! The imagination of childhood is truly miraculous!
Visit crystal@growingajeweledrose … Glowing Bath Treasure Dive
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Emma and Annika are similar…and Johnny and Luke!
I love the garden!
I love how good you are at letting your kids explore their imagination!
Lets be neighbors!? :)
Visit sherri … Horse Back Riding!
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maryanne Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 11:46 am
I would love that! :)
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What a lovely post – there’s nothing more exciting for me as a parent than seeing my kids’ imaginations run wild! My two are much like your Lily – very verbal and living in a world of near-constant imaginary play – with or without any props. My two year old was playing ‘pirates and princesses’ this morning with a bunch of cushions and a piece of net-like fabric – alone, for over half an hour, with constant dialogue. Like with Lily, this is completely normal for her. I love it! The imagination is, indeed, a powerful tool for learning and living!
Visit Jane @ Mama Pea Pod … {Bathing Dolls – Outdoor Water Play}
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Such a great post about the uniqueness of each of your children and their imaginations! That zen garden is great and the pic of your 2 little girls is adorable! And what a drawer Johnny is! Thank you for sharing this post at The Sunday Showcase!
Visit The Iowa Farmer’s Wife … Camp Sunny Patch Honor Counselor
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