Are Kids Losing the Magic of Imagination?

Everything is possible when you are a kid. Fairies lurk in the shadows of every forest, princesses fly on magic carpets, and animals always seem to speak fluently. Being a child with an open mind to anything and everything is an excellent form of freedom.

However, we have observed that kids today are limited in their thinking and less inventive than the previous generation.

The ability of children to come up with original and distinctive ideas has decreased, and they seem to lack humor, imagination, and the capacity to build on ideas.

Experts suggest that creativity is innate and cannot truly be lost, but it needs nurturing. Ron Beghetto, an education psychologist at the University of Oregon, has noted that “It’s not that creativity can disappear. But under other circumstances, it can be silenced.” Young people everywhere are incredibly creative, especially when using digital media. Kids are becoming more creative in their playtime. They urgently need more free time to spark their imaginations, cultivate a sense of wonder, and identify their interests and purposes.

While studying is essential for kids to perform well on tests, it does not foster innovative thought. The decline in creativity test results may be partially attributed to annual standardized examinations used to determine whether state education standards are being met. 

Kids are under pressure to achieve academically and outside of school and are overstimulated, overscheduled, and overworked. This limits their capacity to develop critical thinking abilities necessary for self-discovery.

Creativity happens when kids have the leisure to be curious and explore. However, opportunities for growth are stunted since kids spend up to eight hours a day using media devices and another eight hours participating in scheduled activities.

Also Read: Top 10 ways to build confidence in your students

Children’s imaginations seem to be constantly stolen as they spend more time in “solitary captivity” while using electronic devices. This lack of social interaction is deteriorating their ability to connect with others, which is crucial in teaching them valuable life lessons. Sharing thoughts and opinions enables children to use higher-order cognitive abilities.

However, children are resourceful, and they might be discovering other ways to acquire these skills outside of structured play.

For example, certain video games require players to use original problem-solving techniques, and as they “pretend,” children foster their creativity.

In this kind of storytelling, insight, fantasy, and emotional expression are all important components.

Nowadays, “intellectual hide and seek” is how students and teachers engage. 

Students try to match what they believe the teacher wants to hear, and teachers don’t often spend much time pursuing unexpected ideas because they may be unsure of where they will lead. This discourages thinking outside the box. Teachers need to understand that surprising answers can still spark significant discussion and learning in the classroom. Moreover, schools may be able to use assessments that examine students broadly and allow for greater creativity.

Parents, teachers, and society as a whole must offer children the chance to use their imaginations. They may lose this gift if they are constantly stimulated by devices, television, and social media. Passive participation in media content and contacts is insufficient. Children must be given the time they need to cultivate their imaginations with the unbridled zeal that kids yearn for.

Humans are socially programmed into the restrictions of the age group to which they belong. To learn what is regarded as socially acceptable for a specific age range, children move out of childhood (approximately ages 0–12) and into adolescence (about ages 13–19) and are encouraged to act accordingly. At some point or another, most children are advised to put away the Legos and crayons in favor of more “mature” activities, or activities that conform to our preconceived notions of what constitutes adult behavior. Approaching adolescence often entails acquiring a severe level of self-consciousness.

Technology is not the enemy, and there is no going back to the days before smartphones. However, in a few years, it would be nice to see younger children playing, debating rules, developing friendships, taking on leadership roles, and laughing and giggling like kids.