Children's Imagination

Children''S Imagination Was Traditionally Seen As A Wayward Desire-Driven Faculty That Is Eventually Constrained By Rationality. A More Recent Romantic View Claims That Young Children''S Fertile Imagination Is Increasingly Dulled By Schooling. Contrary To Both Perspectives This Element Argues That Paradoxically Children''S Imagination Draws Much Inspiration From Reality. Hence When They Engage In Pretend Play Envision The Future Or Conjure Up Counterfactual Possibilities Children Rarely Generate Fantastical Possibilities. Their Reality-Guided Imagination Enables Children To Plan Ahead And To Engage In Informative Thought Experiments. Nevertheless When Adults Present Children With Less Reality-Based Possibilities Via Biblical Narratives Or The Endorsement Of Special Beings Children Are Receptive. Indeed Such Imaginary Possibilities Can Infuse Their Otherwise Commonsensical Appraisal Of Reality. Finally Like Adults Young Children Enjoy Being Absorbed Into A Make-Believe Fictional World But Faced With Real-World Problems Calling For Creativity They Often Need Guidance Given Their Limited Knowledge Of Prior Solutions.