Teaching students in preschool or kindergarten to use their imagination will help them become better learners. They will become able to think outside the box and not be constrained by what something is as they will be accustomed seeing something as what it could be.
Introducing a Lesson on Imagination
When introducing this lesson, start by having students draw their favorite make believe place. Give no prompting as to what this means, simply answer questions by saying they can draw whatever they want. Then ask for volunteers to share what they drew. Do not force a child to share so that if the child was unable to come up with an imaginary place, he is not put on the spot in front of his friends.
Direct Instruction in Imagination
Have story time with the book Imagine by Alison Lester [Houghton Mifflin/Walter Lorraine Books, 1993]. At each page of imagining, stop and let the children discuss what they see. Using an easel or chalk board, compare and contrast the real life pages with the make believe pages. Ask the students what the children in the book used to create the make believe pages. The name of the book gives us the hint for the answer!
Guided Practice for Developing Creativity
Using some toys, have the students help you come up with a make believe world like in the book. Rules for this game can include:
- Everyone's ideas are OK to use
- Everyone participates
- Everyone encourages each other
Independent Practice to Develop Student Imagination
Next, group students together and provide a collection of random items for them to work with. These items can include an empty soda bottle, stuffed animals, a length of string, and anything else you can come up with. Assign each group to come up with a make believe world with their items. Give them 10-15 minutes to work together before having each group present their make believe world to the rest of the class.
Modification for Older Students
Use this lesson to encouraging older students to use their imagination for writing assignments. Read the book and have the students write an essay, describing one page of the book. Discuss adjective use and creative descriptions. For independent practice provide the students with a simple picture and have them paint an imaginary world with their words.
Once the students have completed this lesson, remind them to use their imagination every time they have to complete an assignment. This will help teach them that it is good to think creatively and to use descriptive words and phrases.
Check out other lesson plan ideas.
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