Do you think children have to use their imagination less today than in the past.?

Question

Interesting.....does it depend more on the child or more on the parents?

Answer 1

Definitely.  I still remember a "Little Lulu" comic strip from years ago where all of her friends were bragging about their dolls that could walk, talk, sing, play games, etc., but when Lulu confessed that her rag doll couldn't do anything, all of the other girls said that's the kind of doll they wanted, too!

Young kids today are the same as always: they'd rather play with the box the toy came in.  But over time, we take that imagination away from them.  Several decades ago, the NSF had a study on "the loss of creativity in 3rd graders" but it was canceled, I think, because Congress  was convinced it was a frivolous waste of money, but compared to the other studies this one may have been the most valuable.

Answer 2

Yes, because so many are sitting in front of a t.v. or computer most of the time.

Answer 3

the majority of kids yes, but not some I babysit. the parents don't allow tv and video/computer games in the house and these kids, i tell you what.

never before have i been on so many missions to Kwatchka to save Henry from the terrible polar bear/wombat hybrid who has anger management problems and needs a nap 5 times a day otherwise he'll have internal combustion and self destruct. We have to keep him from taking his naps so he'll leave Henry the duck alone.

i mean, how does a 6, 4, 3, and 2 yo come up with this stuff...lol.

Answer 4

Depends on the kid. My brother lives in his own little world. He is totally immersed in his imaginings.

Me, I like to imagine stuff (hence the fact i'm a nearly published writer) so i have a huge imagination and I use it often.

But I know so many kids who can't imagine a single thing.

So like i said depends on the kid but mostly kid's don't use the amazing gift of imagination.

D.F.

Answer 5

Unfortunately yes, because of all the media exposure.

Answer 6

Sure - the need to use their imaginations may be less, as there is more pre-packaged entertainment out there these days than there was in the past - games, activities, TV, video games, even more books now than there were in the past.  

Just as there was when our generation was little.  There was more pre-packaged entertainment when we were kids than there was when our parents were kids.  

I'm sure that's how it will always be.  There will always be more entertainment available with each new generation.  And, therefore, less need to create your own.

Just because kids don't *have to* use their imaginations as much, though, doesn't mean that they actually *are* using their imaginations less.  I'm sure that some kids are, just as some kids in the past did.  And, I'm sure that some are just as imaginative & playful as ever.  

My kids watch all kinds of TV & play video games often.  But, they also put them down, turn them off & get out there to play, too.  Sometimes they need a reminder to do it.  It's easy to just sit & be entertained & who doesn't prefer 'easy'?  And, much of the time their imaginative play begins with the ideas they get from TV or video games.  But, they take those ideas & build on them, using their imaginations, to make them fit into their play.

Answer 7

I actually think it depends on the child. I have 1 child that uses her imagination constantly. She can pick up rocks in the drive way and make them have conversations about space.

I have another child that is very *gadgety* and while she is a 4.0 student and very *book smart," she doesn't have much imagination. While my youngest is very artsy and intellengent in a different sort of way.

I'm surprised my oldest doesn't use her imagination much. I encourage her to with lots of art supplies and build her princess forts in the yard etc but she would rather make up dance routines or cheers. maybe that is imaginative? lol

Answer 8

Yes and it's the parents that aren't encouraging the children, and the schools as well.

Answer 9

Yes, I think children today have every second of their lives scheduled and it doesn't give them the free time necessary to use and develop their imaginations.

Answer 10

I think there has been a lot of new technologies in the past two generations that cause children to be less likely to use their imaginations.  Parents can help this by limiting tv time and not buying toys that take batteries.  When forced to, any child can turn a blanket into a tent and blocks into pizza.  We just have to give them the chance.

We are currently getting ready for a big move, so my kids are surrounded by boxes.  Most of their toys are packed up.  Right now, they are in the hallway playing with two plastic chairs and a milk crate turned upside down.  It's their car.  They don't have personal game systems.  No "children's" computer.  I told them they could either play outside in our backyard or play inside quietly.  Since it's hot, they chose inside.  

Second question - it depends more on the parent.  Like I cited, the parents can control the types of toys and media coming into the house.  No battery-powered entertainment will force a child to use his or her imagination eventually.

Answer 11

yes and that is sad

Answer 12

I definitly noticed that. When I was younger I was always dreaming up and thinking crazy things. And I noticed that my 7 year old is more interested in tv and video games than playing anything else with me. I'm always tring to do other things with me, and when he does, he will lose interest pretty fast.

Answer 13

Yes. Because of tv and video games.