Language Development: Six Good Reasons Why Your Son or Daughter Should Believe in Things That Go Bump in the Night

What, you can’t picture why searching in the closet for a creature with glowing yellow eyes might be worth something? In truth, the ability to imagine – even the scary stuff – is necessary for your son or daughter’s growth. Here’s why:

1) The ability to visualize in one’s mind is a necessary part of learning how to think abstractly. When your child bites a piece of toast and calls it a gun, it shows she can substitute one item for another. That’s proof of his ability to be able to grasp the realness of something, even though it isn’t in front of him. He is no longer tied to the present: he is capable of shaping his future.

2) Imagination gives children the ability to understand the consequences of their actions. For every action, there is a reaction. Consequences are not bad, persay. They simply teach us that when you act in one way, there will be a result. As an infant your son learned that crying brought Mommy or Daddy. He also learned that shaking a rattle led to a noise, or that kicking their legs caused their body to move.

As your son gets older, his imagination helps him visualize his actions, and to anticipate the response that takes place as a result. This allows him to try out things in his mind, without having to act first, Instead of taking his little brother’s favorite toy away, he can now envision that an unhappy little brother means an unhappy dad. Translation: I’ve go to find another method of getting my stuff back.

3) Pretending allows kids to have in fantasy the things they’d like to have in reality. It’s simply not possible – or even desirable – to have everything we want. Your daughter can still have a ball camping out in the jungles of Africa, trying on a glass slipper, or experience the pleasure of having a pal what always says yes.

4) Play is an acceptable outlet for those non-PC feelings. You already know that children’s play can reveal a lot about your child’s emotions. But you don’t have to be a child psychologist for your child to benefit from letting out a little steam through a good play.

Ever punish a child for something, only to turn around and watch your child punish her beloved stuffed animal? When you see something like this happening, take the opportunity to help your child understand her emotions. A simple, “Well I guess your doll wasn’t such a great listener today,” can help your child better understand –and accept- her tumultuous emotions.

Regardless, your child has a chance to express her feelings without criticism.

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