Find Out How Figmentation is Changing the Way People Think About Halloween
Who doesn’t love the parties, the traditions, and enough candy to give you cavities just thinking about it? Sure, those things are great, but to Figmentation, Halloween is the perfect excuse to dress in something fun and play pretend.
Why Pretend is Important
For nearly a century humanity has studied the need for unstructured pretend play in childhood development. The experts say this is how we teach our children skills such as how to think outside the box, how to empathize with others, and how to solve complex problems. Dressing up and playing pretend also teaches a child how to manage risks and make decisions. These skills are of such paramount importance in the life of a child one would think they would already be part of every child’s education. I’m afraid it’s not that simple.
Kids Get Enough Pretend at School Right?
Many schools have eliminated programs they call frivolous such as art, music, and drama programs. Even recess and outdoor time has been set for the chopping block in recent years. As a result, the skills learned by the arts, pretend among them, are often overlooked by today’s average curriculum, leaving it up to parents to recognize that need in their children.
But in our world of electronics, pretend is nearly extinct. What was once a daily occurrence on the playground has become a distant memory. This poses an extraordinary challenge for parents who recognize the importance of encouraging their children to adventure into the world of pretend play. When parents insist on imaginative play, children can find it difficult to disconnect from easier methods of entertainment, leading to more pushback from their kids.
That’s where Halloween comes in
That last great vestige of pretend. For just one night a year, children frolic from door to door, trunk to trunk, or house to house, only to be celebrated for their chosen armor (aka costume); showing off parts of their inner selves the rest of the world probably hasn’t noticed.
A costume has the power to transport a child into a world where the impossible is possible and all things can be.
It’s in these treasured moments that a child can be taught the value of pretend. It’s an opportunity that gives parents that all important advantage in the race to raise the next generation of divergent thinkers and innovators.
By fully embracing this opportunity you can seize a moment where pretend feels like a natural part of the day, not a chore that has been assigned. By encouraging dress up around your home whenever they have time, you build on that energy and create the foundation children need to grow through imagination.
Long story short, don’t skimp on Halloween. It might just be your key to unlocking your child’s hidden potential.
