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#Encourage the use of blocks. Toy blocks and other construction toys help with creativity, and sharpen crucial skills like motor and spatial skills. The purpose of a block is to build and create something larger than the block itself and is a great metaphor for life as a whole. Give your child a set of blocks and play with them, watching and helping as they create various structures.<ref>http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/intellectual/boost-your-childs-imagination/</ref>[[Image:Encourage Your Toddler's Imagination Step 1 Version 2.jpg|center]]
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#Encourage the use of blocks. Toy blocks and other construction toys help with creativity, and sharpen crucial skills like motor and spatial skills. The purpose of a block is to build and create something larger than the block itself and is a great metaphor for life as a whole. Give your child a set of blocks and play with them, watching and helping as they create various structures.<ref>http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/intellectual/boost-your-childs-imagination/</ref>[[Image:Encourage Your Toddler's Imagination Step 1 Version 2.jpg|center]]
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#*Try to find blocks of all different colors, shapes and sizes.
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#*Try to find blocks of all different colors, shapes and sizes.
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#*Don't make assumptions. Instead of saying “Are you building a house?” say “What are you making?”
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#*Begin incorporating blocks at around the age that your child can sit up and hold things alone, perhaps around 9 months of age.
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#*Begin incorporating blocks at around the age that your child can sit up and hold things alone, perhaps around 9 months of age.
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#Avoid managing their play. Though you should play with your toddler often, you should still allow them to do so on their own most of the time. As the adult, you might tend to take over or direct their play more than you might realize, which can stifle their creativity since they will rely on you for directives. Instead, set time where they can play on their own terms apart from you.<ref>http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/intellectual/boost-your-childs-imagination/</ref>[[Image:Encourage Your Toddler's Imagination Step 2 Version 2.jpg|center]]
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#Avoid managing their play. Though you should play with your toddler often, you should still allow them to do so on their own most of the time. As the adult, you might tend to take over or direct their play more than you might realize, which can stifle their creativity since they will rely on you for directives. Instead, set time where they can play on their own terms apart from you.<ref>http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/intellectual/boost-your-childs-imagination/</ref>[[Image:Encourage Your Toddler's Imagination Step 2 Version 2.jpg|center]]
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#*This could be while you are cooking or cleaning or enjoying some time to yourself.
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#*This could be while you are cooking or cleaning or enjoying some time to yourself.
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#*Keep them safe, however. Childproof your home to give yourself peace of mind while they are playing alone. Check on them every few minutes or allow them to play in the room that you are in.
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#*Keep them safe, however. Childproof your home to give yourself peace of mind while they are playing alone. Check on them every few minutes or allow them to play in the room that you are in.
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#Encourage pretend play. Though you should not always manage their play, you can give them certain ideas to help spark their own creativity. Encourage your child to
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#Encourage pretend play. Though you should not always manage their play, you can give them certain ideas to help spark their own creativity. Encourage your child to 'pretend play' by assigning them a role like “doctor” and you serving as the “patient” or by allowing them to choose the scenario. This will allow them expand their imagination by imagining themselves to be a different person.<ref>https://ift.tt/2zUKo9p> This is a also a good way to encourage cooperative play and help develop social skills.[[Image:Encourage Your Toddler's Imagination Step 3 Version 2.jpg|center]]
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#*They can pretend play with their siblings or friends, as well.
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#*They can pretend play with their siblings or friends, as well.
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#*Allow them to use props for the pretending like costumes, pots, blocks, etc.
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#*Allow them to use props for the pretending like costumes, pots, blocks, etc.
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#*Legos
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#*Legos
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===Exploring an Alternative Reality===
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===Exploring an Alternative Reality===
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#Read to them before bed. Another way to spark your
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#Read to them before bed. Another way to spark your child's imagination is by reading stories to them. These stories allow your child to think about a reality beyond their own and also to visualize the story as you read it. Encouraging a love for reading at a young age can help to foster a lifelong development of imagination and creativity. Choose stories that they can relate to as well as those very different or out of the ordinary.<ref>http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a556988/encouraging-your-childs-imagination</ref>[[Image:Encourage Your Toddler's Imagination Step 7 Version 2.jpg|center]]
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#*Allow them to select the book every other night.
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#*Allow them to select the book every other night.
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#*Tell them stories. You can even try trading off lines or allowing them to fill in the blank. For instance say “Once upon a time there was a beautiful girl named ___ who lived in a ___.”
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#*Tell them stories. You can even try trading off lines or allowing them to fill in the blank. For instance say “Once upon a time there was a beautiful girl named ___ who lived in a ___.”
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#*Allow electronic use for a maximum of two hours per day.
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#*Allow electronic use for a maximum of two hours per day.
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#*Model good behavior by limiting your own cellphone and TV use while they are awake.
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#*Model good behavior by limiting your own cellphone and TV use while they are awake.
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#Be silly. To encourage your
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#Be silly. To encourage your toddler's imagination, step outside of always being the “serious adult.” Wear a tiara while you do chores to make your toddler laugh. Get into character during random moments like dinner time. Use a different voice sometimes. This will teach your child about how flexible their own personality is.<ref>http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/intellectual/boost-your-childs-imagination/</ref>[[Image:Encourage Your Toddler's Imagination Step 11 Version 2.jpg|center]]
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#Accept their imaginary friend. Children with imaginary friends tend to be better at tasks that involve imagining how someone else might think and also tend to engage more with peers socially.<ref>https://ift.tt/2PLGcnd> If your toddler should have an imaginary friend,
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#Accept their imaginary friend. Children with imaginary friends tend to be better at tasks that involve imagining how someone else might think and also tend to engage more with peers socially.<ref>https://ift.tt/2PLGcnd> If your toddler should have an imaginary friend, don't shun or discourage them. Instead, accept this and allow them to explore their imagination fully.<ref>https://ift.tt/2zWHwZI Your Toddler's Imagination Step 12 Version 2.jpg|center]]
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#*Imaginary friends are seen most often in only children.
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#*Imaginary friends are seen most often in only children.
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===Fostering Imagination Outside of the Home===
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===Fostering Imagination Outside of the Home===
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#Carefully select their preschool. When you are selecting a daycare or preschool for your child, be as peculiar as possible. Many schools offer art classes or even teach a second language, so you should try to choose programs like this to foster your
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#Carefully select their preschool. When you are selecting a daycare or preschool for your child, be as peculiar as possible. Many schools offer art classes or even teach a second language, so you should try to choose programs like this to foster your child's creative mind.<ref>http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/intellectual/boost-your-childs-imagination/</ref>[[Image:Encourage Your Toddler's Imagination Step 13 Version 2.jpg|center]]
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#*Read reviews online or talk to your friends who have older children about what they did.
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#*Read reviews online or talk to your friends who have older children about what they did.
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#Expose them to the arts. At an early age, expose your child to different cultures and experiences. Take them to museums and art galleries. Take them to festivals in your area. Learn about other cultures and encourage your child to do the same.<ref>https://ift.tt/2PPDywU> Expose them to different activities, such as music and dance. The more they experience, the more you can see which activities pique their curiosity and interest to pursue further.[[Image:Encourage Your Toddler's Imagination Step 14 Version 2.jpg|center]]
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#Expose them to the arts. At an early age, expose your child to different cultures and experiences. Take them to museums and art galleries. Take them to festivals in your area. Learn about other cultures and encourage your child to do the same.<ref>https://ift.tt/2PPDywU> Expose them to different activities, such as music and dance. The more they experience, the more you can see which activities pique their curiosity and interest to pursue further.[[Image:Encourage Your Toddler's Imagination Step 14 Version 2.jpg|center]]
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