Three Kids and Imagination
My eldest son struggles to play 'with imagination'. I thought it was because I would set him up to play, play a little bit, then go to attend a baby, that he learned to enjoy the making but not the playing.
However, it seems that he just doesn't enjoy imagining. He loves making things but is not interested in playing with them afterwards. We have so many 'Little People' that live untouched in his room. The same goes for his Thomas train set. Not interested. Lego - it's all about the construction.
This week though we have a new understanding of his interests. He will play imaginatively if he can springboard. That is from a story he already knows. He has always loved T.V. a little too much. Again, I thought that was my fault for plonking him in front of it so much. But it seems that he just enjoys stories that other people make up more than he enjoys making up his own. He gets very involved in them. He can imagine himself in them.
This has really become obvious this week. Finally we have bought him a toy that he has become passionate about, other than a cricket bat. A Thunderbird Number 2 (a late Christmas present from e-bay). He has not put it down. He has built Tracy Island out of boxes and cushions and done hundreds of rescues. The craft, colouring-in, story writing (with me typing) that has come out of it is amazing.
It's true, it's all about finding what works for your child and going with it. Looks like we might be visiting e-bay a little more often.
However, it seems that he just doesn't enjoy imagining. He loves making things but is not interested in playing with them afterwards. We have so many 'Little People' that live untouched in his room. The same goes for his Thomas train set. Not interested. Lego - it's all about the construction.
This week though we have a new understanding of his interests. He will play imaginatively if he can springboard. That is from a story he already knows. He has always loved T.V. a little too much. Again, I thought that was my fault for plonking him in front of it so much. But it seems that he just enjoys stories that other people make up more than he enjoys making up his own. He gets very involved in them. He can imagine himself in them.
This has really become obvious this week. Finally we have bought him a toy that he has become passionate about, other than a cricket bat. A Thunderbird Number 2 (a late Christmas present from e-bay). He has not put it down. He has built Tracy Island out of boxes and cushions and done hundreds of rescues. The craft, colouring-in, story writing (with me typing) that has come out of it is amazing.
It's true, it's all about finding what works for your child and going with it. Looks like we might be visiting e-bay a little more often.
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Your children sound a little bit like ours. My oldest isn't so good at imagining, but she has recently figured out how to play independently. It's been fun to watch how this has changed over the last couple months. My middle child makes up stories for everything... fire station, dinosaurs, lego puppies, trucks, trains, you name it. Thanks for sharing... there are other children like mine.
Yes that sounds very familiar! Does your middle child make up jokes for everything too?