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development of their imaginations, we are instilling in them not just a sense of creativity, but
powerful critical and analytical thinking skills they will use forever.
Take notice the next time a child takes an interest in a cardboard box. Imagine what they
must be imagining as they begin to play with that box. You will begin to understand their
development of logic and problem-solving strategies. They must first decide what this box will
be used for, next they have to adapt to a new situation and devise a plan on how they are going to
mold that box to suit their imagination. What if they see that box as a race car? The will exercise
their senses of sequence and logic as they gather more materials to further build that box into
what they imagined it would be.
By allowing them the opportunity to create from their
imaginations, devoid our guidance, we are forcing them into using various parts of their brain—
synthesizing previously learned knowledge with knowledge they will gain as they continue the
process of development. This process is also known as cause and effect. “I did not previously
have green paint for my car, so I used the yellow and blue paint I did have and have now learned
through trial and error that yellow and blue make green!” These skills are better learned through
the development of their own brains, rather than always instructor led!
How about a child’s problem solving skills with others? Is it enough to model to them
how to solve a problem? What if they already have an idea of how to solve a problem and you
are not offering them new information to guide them through new experiences? Watch them as
they play during these periods of imaginative play, see how they create problems to solve
themselves. It could be a child playing independently or two or more children playing side by
side. Do not rush to intervene when they begin to challenge one another for the same role, see
how they resolve their own conflict. The child will be utilizing comprehensive cognitive skills
they have ascertained throughout your classroom activities to solve their own issues more
independently, and then you can see how they have perceived your guidance and lessons. You
will also gain insight as to how much of the language they are comprehending and utilizing
correctly. It is not until we are faced with a particular scenario, that we find usage for the