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stop what they are doing and hand their paper to the left. Set the timer again, and it's time to either continue the story or picture you have been passed. Repeat this until every person has the original story or picture that they started. If you are doing this alone with your child, pass it back and fourth five times before stopping. Read the stories to each other, or discuss the pictures. Another version of this game that's perfect for road trips or camp fires is to have one person start a story, and take turns adding one sentence at a time. These exercises help children learn to break out of the box and expand their thinking.

Picture Connections-

Another imagination booster is called Picture Connections. Open a magazine and take out three random pictures that aren't connected at all, then post them on the wall, or in a place where your child (ren) can see them. Give your child(ren) a few minutes to come up with a story that strings the pictures together. Come up with your own story as well. After writing them down, share stories, and talk about them.

It's amazing how far a child's mind will stretch when you loosen up the traditional control of exact directions and teach them how to think on a more expansive level. The world is magical to them, and it's our job to teach them how to hold on to that for as long as they can. Children who have developed the skills learned in these exercises are also much less stressed out when they are faced with an obstacle. Instead, they're more relaxed and have a bigger sense of accomplishment when they get excited about something they came up all by themselves.

Learn more about this author, Sunshine Simmons.
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