We have launched a new Parenting Project aimed at unleashing imagination
Let me tell you why.
I used to create imagination stories for my children (who are now 17, 15, 12). They were based on getting them to give me 3 random and eclectic words and I would weave them into a short and fun story with a beginning, middle and an end.
The point was not to just read books AT them but to engage them IN a story. Getting them to help describe scenery, people, places and create names as the story went along. Soon they were asking me for 3 words and creating their very own stories!
The more I spoke to friends about it, the more I discovered that they weren’t doing this. However they loved the idea.
So I though let’s help families who may not have an initial creative spark.
When I researched deeper into it I discovered that 25% of Australian adults with 4-5 year olds either never read, or only read books to their children 1 – 2 days a week. This jumps to 31% of adults with 6-7 year olds!
And 54% of families are concerned about their child spending too much time in front of the TV, computers, smartphones or doing other sedentary things.
That’s about 1,000,000 households in Australia. Imagine globally!
Yet children have rampant imagination. Why do we dumb it down as they get older? Child psychologists advise that harnessing imagination helps children to develop social skills, build self-confidence, boost intellectual growth, practice language skills and become adaptable to work out fears and worries.
Now I’m the first to admit that parenting is bloody hard – it’s stressful, tiring, frustrating and often divisive. However these are precious times as children develop through their primary years.
Our concept is to help give parents a helping hand to spark their creativity, to ultimately create a stronger bond and help children develop.
So I’m creating a facilitation book called “Imagine What Happens Next” with illustrations (by Sophie Scahill) and story starters, that parents and children can unleash their imagination with.
You can read a little more about it on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/imaginewhathappensnext
From small things, big things grow
I have also launched a Pozible crowd funding initiative to gain additional funding and print more copies of the book. If you’re not familiar with crowd funding or Pozible, it’s a bit like micro-finance. Getting friends and colleagues to donate small amounts of money which, when combined, tally up to a larger financial target.
We are aiming to raise $3,000 and have just hit the $2,000 mark. So we need a little nudge 🙂 If interested, then simply click here to unleash your wallet:
http://www.pozible.com/project/27310
The book is also part of a wider Imagination Project involving interactive sessions in schools where I go in and run a one hour session based on the same concept – getting children involved and also dressing up and using props. The first ones start next week!
And I’ll also launch a subscription website in the coming months for parents to seek ongoing inspiration where we’ll have stories from other authors and cultures. Stay tuned.
So I hope I’ve added a little inspiration to your day. And would love you to help spread the word.
Unleash your imagination.
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