There are various reasons why an active imagination is beneficial for children. It helps them intellectually, allows them to practise their social skills, and encourages them to build upon their self-esteem, amongst other skills. With that said, you may be wondering what you can do to boost your child’s imagination. Here are some ideas from a Surrey preschool.

Reduce Screen Time

As brilliant as they are for keeping our kids entertained when we need some peace and quiet, smart phones and other digital devices don’t allow much room for imagination. Try and reduce the amount of time your child spends in front of a screen by encouraging them to explore creative activities, like arts and crafts and science experiments.

Encourage Your Child to Read

Reading is a brilliant way to boost your child’s imagination as it allows them to visualise different characters, worlds and objects that might not exist in the real world. Take a trip to the library and let you child pick out some books that interest them, as forcing them to read something that they’re not fond of will be counterproductive.

Allow Unstructured Play

In order to keep on top of everything and stay organised, parents tend to rely on structure and schedules. However, sometimes it’s a good idea to give your child some space to play freely, without any organisation. They can play make believe, dress up and let their imaginations run wild.

Explore Nature

Studies have proven that spending time outdoors is great for a child’s creativity and brain power. With this in mind, try and go on bike rides or take walks through the woods; anything that allows your child to experience a change of scenery.

These are just a few ideas to get you started; there are so many other things your child can do that will engage their imagination and boost their creativity. Try and think outside the box and the ideas will flow.