Savings in Seconds welcomes author Laura Huber.  Sparking Your Child’s Imagination can be a difficult parenting issue, so Laura is sharing ideas to help you do just that.  Enjoy!

Sparking Your Child’s Imagination

By

Laura A. Huber

Ever wonder what kids did before electricity, video games and cell phones?  Chances are, to keep themselves entertained, they used something they were born with– their imagination.   Albert Einstein, one of the most intelligent and noteworthy scientists to ever live said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”  If we look at society today, the people who have the courage to put their imaginations to work are the most successful.

But many times today, parents, with the best interest of their children in mind, over schedule and over stimulate their kids.  Running to and fro, back and forth – leaving very little time for the child to just be.  To be a firefighter, an airplane pilot, a mommy, a daddy, a farmer, a doctor . . . the imagination is limitless when it comes to possibilities.  Can you imagine what the world would be like today if the Wright brothers, Walt Disney or NASA didn’t have time to use their imaginations?

So how do you get kids who are dependent on outside entertainment to use their inner power of imagination?  It’s really easier than you think.  Start by using the ideas listed below.

1. Make sure your child has no less than three hours a day of unplanned and unplugged activity.    Allow them time to play with all of those toys you bought for Christmas and birthday.  Sometimes a parent must take time to show the child how to play.  Remember the movie, Toy Story?  Get down on the floor with them and create an imaginary scenario with their toys, then let the child take over.
2. Take the child on a nature hike.  Nature is a great way to spark the imagination of children at any age.  It gives the mind a rest and naturally brings peace to even the most stressed.  This means the mind has a chance to wonder and ponder about anything.
3. Read aloud with your child.  Find a book that is so interesting for you and the child you’ll have to force yourself to stop reading.  This builds a relationship with you and your child as well as aiding in the development of his imagination.  Books take us on adventures we can only dream about.  You can go back in time, visit the future and travel to distant lands.
4. For this next idea you’ll need:   a glue stick, a blank notebook of any kind, a scissors that is age appropriate for the child and a stack of magazines.  (You don’t have to buy any, just see what is lying around your house.  Ask some friends or relatives if they have any magazines they would like to discard; ask at your local library and don’t forget to check the recycling center.)   Now have the child cut out anything that interests him and glue it in the notebook.  You should try it, too.  Let your imaginations soar.  Pretend you could be, do or have anything you wished.  What would it be?  You and your child will discover all kinds of wonderful things about yourselves.  My teenagers still love doing this, and so do I.  It never gets old.

These are just a few ideas to spark the imagination of a child.  The possibilities are only limited by our own thoughts.  Try using your imagination to ignite a child’s.  It is very therapeutic, and if you have the courage to put your imagination to work for you – can you imagine what kinds of wonderful things will happen?  And can you imagine what kinds of wonderful things will happen for your child?

Bio:  Laura Huber is the proud parent of three happy and independent teenagers.  She lives in southeastern Indiana and is the author of, The ABC’s of Homeschooling and The Life Planner-Discovering Yourself and Achieving Your Goals.  Visit her website at www.laurahuber.com.