The theme for yesterday’s teachers’ development day was Imagine. Through songs, stories, music, some new digital resources and presentations from professionals such as Steve Dotto (Dotto Tech) and Alan November (November Learning) we were encouraged to use the power of our imaginations as we guide children into 21st century learning.
Teachers and parents of young children get to do that every day. Why is using the imagination so important? Doesn’t imagination make understanding what’s real that much harder? On the contrary, for everything that we are not actually experiencing at the present moment, we need imagination in order to think about it. Dr. Paul Harris, a development psychologist and professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education says “The imagination is absolutely vital for contemplating reality….” It is not just important for kindergarten readiness, but beyond.
The sandbox is a terrific place for kids to practice imagining. A truck or car can be exploring the world. History can come alive with dinosaurs that play in the sand. Children can build their own worlds in a sandbox. All kinds of adventures can happen in the sand. Simple materials can be used to extend sand fun and learning, such as plastic containers, plastic spoons, twigs, small cars and trucks, popsicle sticks, scoops, little stones, etc. Imaginative play in the sand helps promote more than readiness for kindergarten. What will your child imagine?
