Children naturally come here full of curiosity and as they are like dry sponges, they soak up whatever is in their environment and imagine what else is behind what they are experiencing. In their minds they are asking what this does, what that does - Can I change it? Can it do something else? Can it please me? How does it taste? How does it feel? Can I play with it? Their minds are very active and desire stimulation. They are completely open for new experiences with no biases or judgments. As soon as they are ready for your interaction, you are going to encourage them and join them in their imaginations.
When your children experience you loving their playful activities and joining them in their imaginations, they feel ok in continuing these activities. This “visualization muscle” gets strengthened more and more as this validation from you continues. As you encourage them to visualize, telling them that anything is possible and that they can do or be anything they can imagine for themselves, you will see them become motivated to be more creative in general. All it takes is for them to really know that you are supporting their dreams and aspirations.
You might think it is silly to go along and pretend with your kids as they are creating a playful reality or story. You might tell them that they should stop pretending and “get real” or you might even discourage them from engaging in anything you deem as silly or too “childish.” Entering their world would be completely unthinkable for some of you. If someone would ask you to be more compassionate and understanding of your children’s fantasies, you might say “And why would anyone do something so foolish as that?” or “What adult would do such a thing?” or “I’m not thinking about doing any such thing. I am the parent, not another kid.” Now do you see why this is so important to address?
When you support your children in their dreams and visions, you are supporting their creativity and aspirations. When they see you supporting, gently guiding, offering compassionate suggestions and encouragement, those children see no limits in life. This is why you should encourage your children to visualize often. You should help them to dream creatively. Support their dream experiences and ask open questions about their dreams. In this way, you will be supporting their future aspirations, goals and motivations. Their self-esteem, self-image and self-confidence increase dramatically.
Would you call yourself a creative person? When you were very young, did you have dreams that you never manifested? Did you have support for those dreams? Were you allowed to share your dreams and ideas? Was there a welcoming atmosphere in your household for expressions from children? Were your parents encouraging in the areas of your interest? Did you feel really connected to your parents? If your answers are not in the affirmative, then it would be naturally challenging to be the best, loving supporter of your children, because you have no idea what that feels like.
You, as the wonderful, motivated parent that you are, will encourage your children to dream their best dreams. You will say to them, “Imagine yourselves as doctors, actors, contractors, stock brokers, musicians, school teachers, social workers, bankers, etc. Right before you go to bed tonight, imagine your best future so that when you dream, your mind will expand the idea. You will wake up feeling so happy and wonderful.” As you support their visions, they will feel better about themselves. Just knowing that your parent is supportive of your aspirations, despite their enormity or abstractness, bonding and trust levels increase. When parents demonstrate that they believe in their children, they believe more in their possibilities.
When your children experience you loving their playful activities and joining them in their imaginations, they feel ok in continuing these activities. This “visualization muscle” gets strengthened more and more as this validation from you continues. As you encourage them to visualize, telling them that anything is possible and that they can do or be anything they can imagine for themselves, you will see them become motivated to be more creative in general. All it takes is for them to really know that you are supporting their dreams and aspirations.
You might think it is silly to go along and pretend with your kids as they are creating a playful reality or story. You might tell them that they should stop pretending and “get real” or you might even discourage them from engaging in anything you deem as silly or too “childish.” Entering their world would be completely unthinkable for some of you. If someone would ask you to be more compassionate and understanding of your children’s fantasies, you might say “And why would anyone do something so foolish as that?” or “What adult would do such a thing?” or “I’m not thinking about doing any such thing. I am the parent, not another kid.” Now do you see why this is so important to address?
When you support your children in their dreams and visions, you are supporting their creativity and aspirations. When they see you supporting, gently guiding, offering compassionate suggestions and encouragement, those children see no limits in life. This is why you should encourage your children to visualize often. You should help them to dream creatively. Support their dream experiences and ask open questions about their dreams. In this way, you will be supporting their future aspirations, goals and motivations. Their self-esteem, self-image and self-confidence increase dramatically.
Would you call yourself a creative person? When you were very young, did you have dreams that you never manifested? Did you have support for those dreams? Were you allowed to share your dreams and ideas? Was there a welcoming atmosphere in your household for expressions from children? Were your parents encouraging in the areas of your interest? Did you feel really connected to your parents? If your answers are not in the affirmative, then it would be naturally challenging to be the best, loving supporter of your children, because you have no idea what that feels like.
You, as the wonderful, motivated parent that you are, will encourage your children to dream their best dreams. You will say to them, “Imagine yourselves as doctors, actors, contractors, stock brokers, musicians, school teachers, social workers, bankers, etc. Right before you go to bed tonight, imagine your best future so that when you dream, your mind will expand the idea. You will wake up feeling so happy and wonderful.” As you support their visions, they will feel better about themselves. Just knowing that your parent is supportive of your aspirations, despite their enormity or abstractness, bonding and trust levels increase. When parents demonstrate that they believe in their children, they believe more in their possibilities.
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