How many times did your parents tell you to stop daydreaming as a child? Why do we continue to tell our own kids to stop as well?
Daydreaming is what fuels their creativity and inspires them. It’s what gives them an escape from an otherwise mundane school day. We should be encouraging our kids to think outside of the box instead we stuff them into a cookie cutter educational box and shut the lid.
As a child I loved to make up pretend stories. When I was eight I created an elaborate wedding dress for my Barbie made out of toilet paper with a train that would rival that of princess Diana. I hosted an elaborate Barbie and Ken wedding that would outdo Kate and William’s.
I still daydream even today mostly when I am just walking. My best writing ideas always come from when I am in motion. In fact, I am writing this as I take my morning walk. This explains my well known clumsy side where I trip over everything, bump into walls and fall over my own two feet.
Which brings me to my point. We force kids to sit at desk all day at school, remain still and stop daydreaming. Then they go home and sit for homework. So when a kid can’t sit still or daydreams they get labeled in a negative way. We wonder why they get cranky, tired and act out. We put no value in motion and their need to be be creative..and yes just play.
Daydreaming is what fuels their creativity and inspires them. It’s what gives them an escape from an otherwise mundane school day. We should be encouraging our kids to think outside of the box instead we stuff them into a cookie cutter educational box and shut the lid.
As a child I loved to make up pretend stories. When I was eight I created an elaborate wedding dress for my Barbie made out of toilet paper with a train that would rival that of princess Diana. I hosted an elaborate Barbie and Ken wedding that would outdo Kate and William’s.
I still daydream even today mostly when I am just walking. My best writing ideas always come from when I am in motion. In fact, I am writing this as I take my morning walk. This explains my well known clumsy side where I trip over everything, bump into walls and fall over my own two feet.
Which brings me to my point. We force kids to sit at desk all day at school, remain still and stop daydreaming. Then they go home and sit for homework. So when a kid can’t sit still or daydreams they get labeled in a negative way. We wonder why they get cranky, tired and act out. We put no value in motion and their need to be be creative..and yes just play.
Perhaps that is why some of the most creative successful people failed at school and reflect on being seen as misfits. Their minds were simply someplace else.
I did fine in school. I was probably a solid B student but never liked the structure or the routine. I hating writing in high school and my papers always came back “corrected” bleeding in red ink. As I went on to college I chose more hands-on, practical classes as they let me explore outside the classroom.
We all need time to dream and let our minds go not just as children but as adults too. I recommend however you take my advice and watch out for oncoming traffic… and glass doors. Ouch
I did fine in school. I was probably a solid B student but never liked the structure or the routine. I hating writing in high school and my papers always came back “corrected” bleeding in red ink. As I went on to college I chose more hands-on, practical classes as they let me explore outside the classroom.
We all need time to dream and let our minds go not just as children but as adults too. I recommend however you take my advice and watch out for oncoming traffic… and glass doors. Ouch
Marcie Gandell is a full time Westchester NY Mom to three boys and a part-time web designer. She is also a cook, housekeeper, chauffeur, handyman, expert negotiator and an excellent juggler!
Read more from her at her blog, Random Stupid Thoughts, a Mom's View of the World
Read more from her at her blog, Random Stupid Thoughts, a Mom's View of the World
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