Encouraging imagination in children

Exemplification Essay: Encouraging Imagination in Children Wizards, faeries, sprites, and all other kinds of magical delights fill childrens’ heads when they are young. They dream about summiting Mt. Everest, and growing up to be movie stars, singers, or famous sports figures. As James Agee said, ” In every child who is born, under no matter what circumstances, and of no matter what parents, the potentiality of the human race is born again.” 1 Truly, children have the potential to grow up and be anything they want to become. Children today, sadly, however, are not encouraged to use their imaginations. Their lives have been scheduled, their own worlds of imagination have been robbed of them by the almighty TV, and young people just aren’t allowed to have dreams sometimes anymore. Are we robbing our children of living a more fulfilled life
Nowadays, in a culture of child worship, young childrens’ lives are now scheduled chock-full of activities from birth till age 18. For the high schooler, there is school from 8am till 3pm, band practice at 3: 30pm, soccer practice at 4: 30pm, piano lessons at 5: 30pm, dinner at 6pm, homework at 6: 30pm, movie time (if there’s time), and then bed. For the toddler, there is preschool from 8am till 3pm, play dates at 3: 30pm and 4: 30pm doing structured activities, speech therapy at 5pm, dinner at 6pm, enrichment videos (like Barney or Gullah Gullah Island) at 6: 30pm, reading time at 7pm, and bedtime at 7: 30pm sharp. For young people, their schedules are packed. So, when all your play dates are scheduled, or when one must attend soccer practice-one must ask, where is all the creativity When are toddlers simply allowed to be by themselves and spontaneously play with a stick or make mudpies, meeting friends on the seat of their pants and just going with the flow When can high schoolers relax and brainstorm about writing projects, plays, and other creative activities without having to play a sport, learn a skill, or otherwise do something that is utilitarian Part of what makes life interesting is how unexpectedly events can happen or develop over the course of time. Having a perfectly planned-out life leaves no room for mystery.
Additionally, childrens’ imaginations have been stolen by the advent of television. Why come up with or find new content to read or sing or play or dance when one can find all the entertainment one needs on television For some children, unfortunately, television is the avenue through which they live vicariously. This is sad, because, television is a virtual experience to some degree, and life must be fully experienced, which includes the life of the mind outside of or beyond TV. The mind can be pretty inventive, but these days children are many times told what to think instead of being forced to think critically, or-dare one say it-creatively.
What ever happened to the little child who had an idea of what he or she would like to be when the child grew up It seems as though childrens’ dreams for the future have faded. Or, if children do have dreams, their dreams are limited by what their socioeconomic status or social locations are. This should not be so. Children should have it in their minds that they can do anything, succeed at anything they try, and know that the sky is the limit. They should be given that desire to achieve and the encouragement they need to live a creative life.
People-parents, teachers, and staff-need to allow children to use their creativity. Where children’s lives have been predetermined, the TV reigns supreme, and childrens’ dreams are dashed, one should encourage kids to use their imaginations.

REFERENCES
Toliver, Wendy. The Little Giant Ecyclopedia of Inspirational Quotes. USA: Sterling Publishing Co.,
Inc., 2005.