the book would stimulate some good conversation. After one sit down with the book, this daughter exclaimed, “That book requires a lot of thinking about thinking.” Yes, the topic is about recognizing the battles within our minds. Now her zeal is lessened because she knows this book is not just entertainment, it requires interaction.
The same thing happens when children play. Children want entertainment, but they don’t want to put out any effort. Personal interaction is not a priority. Often hand held games are not completely mindless; they do require strategy and the ability to figure them out through trial and error. The interactive video games bring in some movement, but still the screen blasts the mind with stimulus while the player moves his wand to the games requirements.
But, where is the imagination? There is none. The mind is stimulated by fast passed scenes, without a smidgeon of effort toward imagination being made.
Imagination is becoming a thing of the past. Children that can
think outside of the box will stand out in the next generation. Encourage the stretching of young minds by providing opportunity to use their imaginations.
Limit television, computer games and hand held games. Instead,
play house, tag, and board games. Start a picture and have your child finish it. Ask a child to tell you a story. Dance, sing and just be silly with dress up or hair styles. Walk and talk, talk about what you see or whatever comes to mind. Play “What if..” this is an opportunity to have one person say, "what if horses could fly," then another person answers, "then they could eat clouds." Another mind stretcher is “Would You Rather” in this game one person asks, "would you rather have to wear dresses every day or dye your hair pink?" Another person picks an answer and explains why.
What is so important about imagination? Basically it is important
because it stretches the mind. God wants us to have sound mind, while Satan wants to confuse us. Using our brains in imagination helps strengthen them to be ready when there is a battle going on in our mind. I fear that lazy minds are an easy place for falsehood to set up camp.
Jesus also used much imagination in His parables. He used these
creative stories to bring home key points for us to guide our lives by. We too can use our imaginations to creatively and boldly share Truth with others.
Another by product of imagination is communication. In order to communicate one’s creative ideas, words must be used. When the imagination is in full swing, not just any words will do, words must taste, smell and feel like the picture that is being portrayed. Vocabulary is stretched.
For some parents stimulating their child’s imagination comes effortlessly, for others of us it requires purposeful effort. Whichever camp you come from, keep in mind what is best for your child. An electronic game now and then is not the end of a child’s mind’s hope for a future, but guiding them to more stimulating play will benefit beyond the number of levels there are able to pass.