I believe there is a difference between imagining reality and trying to represent it. Just yesterday, DS tried drawing a truck. You could say it looked very imaginative and unconventional - but that would be incorrect, since he did not represent that which was in his head. So a part of learning to draw is about mastering the tools necessary to represent that which is in your imagination. Teaching those tools is no more trampling on imagination then teaching one to read tampers with ability to imagine stories.
Oh, and the switch that happens around the age of 6 is often linked to overall self consciousness more so than imagination.
I agree about the skills and simply not knowing how to draw a truck at that age, but it's unfortunate that by the time the skills arrive, the ability to free associate is far gone.
And yes, that is exactly what I mean about the age of 6: becoming more like us, grounded and self-conscious :), no longer self-centered.
Do you think that imagination can be killed? Ever?
How do you define "imagination"? Does it always mean "think outside the box" or "you can be very creative within your own little box"? Is imagination all about thinking beyond stereotypes? :)
Is it possible that child's brain is adjusting to the realities where imagination is not put to work in order to adapt? If there are no stability in their perception, how to adapt yourself to the world and world to yourself? I once asked a boy whether we can put people on the sky and stars on earth. He thought that it is not right. I wouldn't think that it is not having or using imagination (as he considered it for a moment - so he could imagine), but rather allowed him to preserve the stability of the world which is so fragile in their young age.
Yes, I guess you're right about 'preserving the stability of their fragile little world'. Perhaps it's when you try to go back that you so want to have this free flight of imagination. For them it's the opposite - they'd like to grow more and more and become like us as quickly as possible.
In terms of definition of 'imagination' - I was thinking of 'multiple solutions to a given problem'. It could be creative ways of handling your little box, or thinking outside of it, or not boxing yourself at all rather...
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Oh, and the switch that happens around the age of 6 is often linked to overall self consciousness more so than imagination.
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And yes, that is exactly what I mean about the age of 6: becoming more like us, grounded and self-conscious :), no longer self-centered.
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How do you define "imagination"? Does it always mean "think outside the box" or "you can be very creative within your own little box"? Is imagination all about thinking beyond stereotypes? :)
Is it possible that child's brain is adjusting to the realities where imagination is not put to work in order to adapt? If there are no stability in their perception, how to adapt yourself to the world and world to yourself? I once asked a boy whether we can put people on the sky and stars on earth. He thought that it is not right. I wouldn't think that it is not having or using imagination (as he considered it for a moment - so he could imagine), but rather allowed him to preserve the stability of the world which is so fragile in their young age.
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In terms of definition of 'imagination' - I was thinking of 'multiple solutions to a given problem'. It could be creative ways of handling your little box, or thinking outside of it, or not boxing yourself at all rather...
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