Customer Reviews

The House of Make-Believe: Children's Play and the Developing Imagination

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

To start with, this book is packed with information. Facts, stories, research, and author interpretations that are weaved into one of the most important and over looked aspects of early childhood. The importance of imagination and creativity. Not only do the authors explain the difference between the two (creativity and imagination) but they explain why each are important in their own way, and how they work together in the education and development of the child. There are so many books on early childhood development, but I feel that this is an area where truly readable and applicable books are lacking. And it's a shame because there probably isn't an area as easy, as natural or as critical to positive development as Make Believe/creativity/imagination.

In this book the authors explain the various uses of make believe play and how its one of the earliest forms of thought that babies acquire, and one of the major tools that children use to learn about and escape the world. They even explain how Make Believe exists on into adulthood and what roles it plays in our lives. I've read a few books on this topic and this is probably the best, along with Harris's "The Work of the Imagination" (which is much more dense with scientific research and a bit more difficult to read). However this book ties in a variety of topics with a variety of research to essentially demonstrate through topics such as imaginary friends, play therapy, make believe play, daydreaming....that children/people who are engage in make believe play and are more imaginative experience a variety of benefits in their lives, both educationally and personally.

I may be a bit biased considering my own personal belief is that imagination is the greatest tool any child has, and that it is the basis of all learning....but I found this to be a fantastic book. It's very well written. Clear and concise. It's loaded with information, and covers it's topic thoroughly. I will admit it can be a bit dry in parts, and it's quite extensive in breadth, length and scope but if you're interested in children at all this book should be an essential read. The Singer's are well known researchers in the field of child development and this is their main area of study. That says something about the importance of fantasy play in a child's life. Even though I'd consider this book to be more of a scholarly text, and not your typical light "parenting" style of writing, whether you're an educator or a parent....the information in this book is critical to all children and should be used to improve the standards of creativity that we encourage in every child.