It is amazing to us that we consistently run into adults that feel they have a better idea of how to be creative than any child in their company. They then insist on pushing their vision on the young ones.
Example 1:
Bluey is at the park with Dad, a friend, and the friend’s dad. Bluey has crawled with his friend underneath part of a climbing structure.
Friend’s Parent (FP): “What are you guys playing?”
Bluey (B): “We’re in our secret cave!”
FP: “Why don’t you pretend this is a giant spider web?”
B: “It’s a secret cave.”
FP: “But there could be a web, and a spider and you’d have to not let it catch you.”
B: -no response-
Why can’t the kids be in a cave? Just because this adult saw it as a spider web doesn’t make his idea any better than the original cave. Bluey and his young friend were being highly creative. They were making their own imaginary world. Why can’t that be OK?
Example 2:
Bluey comes out of his room with a small dinosaur.
Our Visitor (OV): “What a nice dinosaur. Does he have a name?”
Bluey (B): “No.”
OV: “He looks like a George to me. Is his name George?”
B: “No. He doesn’t have a name yet.”
OV: “Are you sure his name isn’t George? He looks like a George.”
B: “No. He doesn’t have a name.”
This continues back and forth for a few minutes- seriously.
Bluey goes back to his room for a different toy but returns with the same dinosaur.
B: “His name is Oscar and he’s a rescue Dino!”
OV: “Are you sure his name isn’t George? He looks like a George.”
Sheesh! The kid just said the dinosaur’s name was Oscar, only after our visitor pressured Bluey to name it. Bluey didn’t need to name his toy. Just let him play with the dinosaur in his own way. You’re an adult! Go buy your own “George” Dinosaur if that’s what you want.
Why do some adults feel so compelled to orchestrate the details of kid’s creativity?