Infimity Minutes: A Focus on Imagination and Some Faith in Faith

 

The other day my two older boys and I were changing into our pajamas after swim lessons.  Actually, they were changing into their pajamas while I was trying to keep order and move the process along.  The guys are five and three-years-old, so occasionally they become distracted (or maybe they just become really, really focused on something else…who knows).  Each week the boys come up with some imaginary scenario to play out in the tiny changing room at swim school.  It’s close to when we finish and these brothers unfailingly contract two sever cases of the sillies.  Consequently, the changing room games ensue in an enthusiastic fashion.

Sometimes it’s a runway show, sometimes it’s a dance party, and this time it was a magic act.  First, my five-year-old instructed my three-year-old to hold his towel up while he changed behind it.  The idea was that I was not supposed to be able to see the changing taking place.  I was “a part of the audience.”  Upon completion, my three-year-old was supposed to drop the towel and shout, “Tada!”

It worked.  Before my very eyes a bathing suit vanished and pajamas magically appeared!  We all laughed with unbridled glee, be jumped around in the small space, he hugged and high-fived, it was quite a jolly scene.  Who needs Vegas?!  When the little guy’s turn rolled around big brother had neglected to consider how long it might take for the transformation to unfold.  The kid is an exceedingly cool dude, totally willing to suspend reality for the sake of the game, completely down with the magic show program, but not quite as fast at changing into pajamas as his mentor magician.

After what seemed to be about three or four hours I asked, “How long do you intend to hold that towel up for?”

With a huge smile and nothing but conviction big brother declared, “Infimity minutes!”

I couldn’t help but smile.  How could I have questioned the power of a child’s imagination and the strength of his resolve?  The experience reminded me how important creative play and faith in limitless possibilities is to the process of learning and growth.  It didn’t matter that he said the word incorrectly, it only mattered that he believed in it.  He believed that he could hold that towel up for as many minutes as it took for the magic to happen!  He was totally engaged.  He was thoroughly committed.  Nothing was going to stop him.  He was going to do it.  He did it.  Good stuff…and great practice!

I remembered that:

1. Perpetuating cultures by which children feel free to explore their thoughts, ideas, and interests in ways that they consider fun and exciting is critical to their positive progress at school and at home.

2.  Kids believe that anything is possible.  Educators and parents serve them well when we encourage and support that belief.  Let’s face it; with all of our grown-up knowledge and wisdom we’re regularly amazed and even dumbfounded by life’s many delightful surprises.  I am, anyway.  I believe that helping kids hold on to their limitless resolve for endless universal potential helps them grow into dedicated, faithful, innovative, and forward thinking adults.

So, imfinity minutes it is, bud…and more power to you!

Live. Learn. Lead.

Dream Big. Work Hard. Be Well.