The Impact of "Imagination"

Remember the original Mastercard commercial that took us on a parent's journey of buying that special toy for their child.  We witnessed the late-night wrapping and the precise placement under the holiday tree.  Yet, once the present was opened, it was the experience with the packaging box that was ‘priceless'.
Children see the world without limitations.  With every new endeavor, their minds begin to spin and their imaginations run wild.  Soon enough, they will turn in their creative juices and imaginative thoughts for assigned desks, pencil boxes, word families and art class only once a week.  So why not foster an environment of expressive creativity while we still have the chance?
Sparking a child's imagination is quite easy once the perceptions that expensive, store purchased toys are superior to any that are self-constructed.
To begin, gather an array of simple materials.  Sort the supplies according to similar attributes (such as color) and place each group in a small container.  Next, throw away all your preconceived ideas of what is ‘right' and ‘wrong'.  Present the containers, and, finally, HAVE FUN YOURSELF!
Children may choose to only open one container or only play with the items that they consider ‘soft'.  They may pick items of only one color or decide on a similar object that is offered in various colors.  The possibilities are endless! 
Introduce an idea, theme or feeling such as a tower, the beach or happiness.  Each child's interpretation of this particular suggestion will be original and extraordinary.  You will find that each child internalizes your invitation and will portray your idea according to the pictures in his or her imagination.   
Allowing children to freely create has multiple advantages to their development.  Through creative and imaginative play, children will have the opportunity to explore self-expression, cooperation, balance, trial and error, abstract thinking, sorting, communicative skills and literacy, fine and gross motor skills, among many others.  When ready for clean-up, simply ask the children to sort the items back into the containers.  Toddlers should be prompted to sort according to color or specific attribute to reinforce color recognition or attribute and literacy descriptive awareness.  Preschoolers will typically choose their own characteristic.  This activity has just as much importance in clean-up as it does during play.
Attached is a list of household, inexpensive supplies you can start with.  Now it's time to have some fun and let your imagination run wild!!!
The following is a list of items that can be included in your ‘Imagination ‘Station'.

• Toilet Paper or Paper Towel rolls
• Scraps of material
• Wood pieces*
• Ribbon / Twine
• Tissue Paper
• Cotton Balls
• Q-Tips
• Index Cards
• Straws
• Pipe Cleaners
• Buttons*
• Pom-poms
• Clothespins
• Marbles / Stones*
• Seashells*
• Styrofoam Peanuts
• Construction Paper
• Crazy cardboard pieces from various packaging (electronics, etc)
• Shower Curtain Rings
• Silk Flowers
• Shower Caps*
• Sponges

Any item can be added.  Think ‘outside the box'!  Once you have a good amount of supplies, present the boxes to your child(ren).  Invite them to freely construct whatever they can imagine out of the objects.  Set the example, of course, by playing and unlocking your imaginative juices too!  Presenting a theme or idea will enhance the experience.  Be sure to ask your child to tell you about their creation.  You never know-that clothespin with the pink tissue paper wrapped around it could be YOU from the beach last year!!

*Be sure to check ALL materials for age-appropriateness and safety.