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What's the difference between a two and a six year old besides age? A two year old craves exploration. He loves to investigate everything, and his imagination is one of his most powerful brain tools. To him a wooden spoon could be anything from a boat paddle to a spaceship.

A six year old, on the other hand, has had to opportunity to go to school. She has been taught the "right" way to play with things. When she colors an elephant purple, her teacher corrects her. She's also been introduced to video games and T.V. Now when she is given a wooden spoon, she'll tell you it's used for mixing. If you ask her if it can be used for anything else, she'll look at you like you're strange.

It doesn't have to be this way. You can keep that spirit of wonder and imagination alive in your child longer than you think. The key is to not damper it by bombarding her with games and toys that do not allow her to use her imagination. Imagination is like a muscle that you can't see or feel, but it's very much there. You must exercise and strengthen it or else it will atrophy.

Here are some ideas to get you thinking of ways to foster and strengthen your child's imagination:

1) If he or she still takes a nap, think about buying or renting books on tape. In today's society, children watch too much T.V. Everything is done for them. When they listen to a story, they have to imagine the characters. What do they look like? What does the setting look like? This is an excellent way to build reading comprehension. Many kids do not like to read fiction books because they can not imagine the story in their heads. Since they can't do this, reading is boring to them. When they finish listening to the story, have them act out their favorite scenes. Or they could draw what they think the characters look like.

2) Take about ten different household objects such as a flour container, potato peeler, or strainer. See how many ways your child can come up with to use that object. Allow crazy, far-fetched answers, but encourage him to explain how he can imagine the object working in that fashion. If your children can write, set a timer for one minute and see who can come up with the most answers.

3) Making up plays and skits always stretches the imagination. Encourage your child to come up with original story lines. Give her as many props as she needs to make her play come to life. Video tape her performance; then make a big tub of popcorn and watch it with the whole family.

4) Put on a song, preferably something classical or without lyrics. Then give your children markers, paints, and crayons. Spread a huge sheet of paper over the table. Then ask her to draw a picture based on what the music is like. If you child is older and isn't used to doing something like this, you'll want to demonstrate for her what to do. As you draw, let her know why you drew something. For example you could say, "The music is really flowing nicely here. It reminds me of waves. Now the music is moving faster and faster. I think I'll draw a ship that is bobbing up and down on these waves." Let her know that there is no right or wrong answer.

5) Blocks and other building materials are wonderful for younger children. They not only promote imagination skills but are great for learning how to problem solve. Have them figure out creative ways to make the tallest tower. Show them how to set up blocks as a maze in the living room.

Give a child too many toys that require electricity or batteries and you'll have a child who is less and less able to think of creative ways to solve problems. While there is a time and place for videos and talking toys, be sure that they always take second place to the activities that promote your child's imagination and curiosity.

Learn more about this author, Christina Pilkington.
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