Imaginative play

Originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News, May 2018; written by Ann Marie Meiresonne.

“Because the imagination is so important to the growth of a child, it is our responsibility to provide activities worthy of imagination.” – Judith Bachleitner Head of the Music Department Rudolf Steiner School New York City.

Play comes naturally to children and is one of the primary ways they learn.

At the library we offer play and imagination opportunities through our kitchen set, castle, stable, trucks and board games. We offer experiences such as our Children’s Community Garden, Story Craft, Babytime, Summer Reading Program and additional programs.

We also have a wide selection of books that offer inspiration to families for imaginative play.

Starting with the Woodland Adventure Handbook by Adam Dove with chapters such as the woodland fairies and the big-footed troll or the search for the leprechaun’s gold. Each chapter begins with a story and continues with activities to promote the adventure of the story. Creative ideas such as making bog people, and fairy villages to journey sticks. The book will inspire parents and children alike.

A Little Bit of Dirt: 55+ Science and Art Activities to Reconnect Children with Nature by Asia Citro has super outside ideas from building nature boats, nature crowns, and underwater viewers. Included are easy to follow instructions, great intro to plants, and easy projects to promote play in the out-of-doors.

Made with Dad: From Wizards’ Wands to Japanese Dolls, Craft Projects to Build, Make, and Do with Your Kids by Chris Barnardo has some super instructions for great imaginative play toys. The instructions are a bit more complex so middle graders would be appropriate to explore these plans with dad, or mom, to choose where to start.

For the budding young authors Show me a Story: 40 craft projects and Activities to Spark Children’s Storytelling by Emily K. Neuburger create storytelling though play. With story blocks, story stones, magical mailboxes, story dice and more, it is my go to book for imaginative play inspiration.

One of my favorite picture books about imaginative play is This is my Dollhouse by Giselle Potter. A little girl with a vivid imagination builds her own dollhouse from a cardboard box finds it challenging to play with her friends perfect dollhouse. Will her friend be able to play with a homemade house when she comes to visit? This book has encouraged many a child to begin to build their own dollhouse out of a box.

Illustrator Bill Thompson created three wordless picture books worthy of drawing any child or adult in to the world of imagination and play. Chalk is about three children at a park on a rainy day who find chalk and draw pictures that come to life. Fossil is about a child who breaks open fossils and discovers the fossil comes back to life. The Typewriter begins an adventure in the discovery of words. All three books delight the eye for readers, and encourage storytelling skills for all.