Your Toddler and Their Imagination
Imagination is an important and often overlooked component in a child’s development. A toddler’s brain is of greater density compared to an adult’s. Repeated use of a connection makes it permanent, while unused connections fade with age.
As you expose your child to new stimuli, you expand the horizons of his world. Triggering his imagination regularly when young will allow his brain to forge a connection with his imaginative abilities.
How you can help
Bring your toddler’s fantasy to life by reading picture books. It is good to select from varied sources for a healthy imagination. Doing so will also broaden his vocabulary and ability to express himself. Picture books also help visualise a story where words fail at this point.
Look for books with large, colourful imagery. Because the primary focus will be on the images, you can even improvise and customise the story for him. Your toddler’s brain craves for new input, so show him many pictures to feed his curiosity.
You don’t need to stick to visuals, either. Sounds help create associations with objects, too. Animal sounds, vehicle noises, and even commercial jingles become part and parcel of his world when repeated often enough. Some children are also better auditory learners, so be sure to give your child multi-sensory stimuli.
You can also go further and engage your child in ‘pretend play’. Pretending that he is a powerful wizard or comic hero makes him feel strong enough to take charge of the situation. In these pretend games, you may also find him creating rules for himself (a form of self-discipline) or putting himself in the shoes of a cat he passed by on the street (empathy). Children who pretend-play a lot are also found to become great problem solvers when older.
Be involved in these play sessions and let your child express himself. Let your inner child join him and go where his imagination goes. You might just learn a thing or two yourself!
