While Thanksgiving and wishing on a wishbone happens in North America, children`s wishes happen anywhere. Tossing coins into fountains and wells are other possibilities, as well as wishing on a star or blowing out the candles on a birthday cake.
A fun activity for any day is to make a wish. Many children’s stories and programs talk about wishes, so most kids will know what wishing is about. Kids often use their imaginations and wish for things like being able to fly, to swim underwater like a whale, and to have other amazing super powers.
Favorite foods are another common wish, like truckloads of ice cream or candy. One child wished it would rain tacos. Toys are included on children’s wish lists and likely, there’s a whole long list of toys.
Wishing can be connected to children’s play. In play, kids can be anything they imagine and they can fly or swim like a whale. Super hero play is very common. Kids can act out any role such as a mom, dad, baby, bus driver, store clerk, doctor, dentist, office worker, teacher, or boss. They don’t limit themselves to being human, and may become a dog, cat, or dinosaur.
Kids can also go anywhere, to a restaurant or outer space, the store or a secret hideaway. A wish to go camping can almost come true with a blanket over chairs or the sofa to make a fort. A box contains a very small space within its 4 sides but unlimited potential.
Magicians and fairy godmothers can grant wishes, at least in stories. Magic wands are usually needed but with wintery weather in a number of regions, children`s wishes for Elsa-like frozen powers are happening right outside.
Did you ever say this rhyme?
Star bright, star light.
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish, I wish tonight.
Wishbones and magic wands are not really needed, because kids have imaginations and play. What are your child’s wishes?