|
“I’m going to be a famous
basketball player.”
“I’m going to live in a mansion and have a limousine.”
“I’m going to be president.”
Children between six and nine see unlimited possibilities. Their
thinking is still magical, and they believe they’ll accomplish
whatever they desire. Although they’re beginning to reason logically
and organize their thoughts, they live in the “here-and-now.” If a
child enjoys ice- skating, it seems logical to him that he can
become a famous skater.
Kids think about the future, but they don’t think the way an adult
does. They can’t put themselves in the place of someone who has
worked hard to accomplish a goal. They don’t think about obstacles,
expenses, time, or limited abilities. Instead, they have an innocent
optimism that leads to dramatic conclusions: “When I grow up, I’m
going to be a star!”
When your child tells you his grand plans, don’t feel you have to
set him straight. One father, hearing that his daughter wanted to
become an actress, lectured her on the practical side of working in
the theater. She burst into tears.
Respect your child’s confident statements and try to learn more
about his values and thinking. If he says he’s going to be rich,
ask, “What will you do with all that money?” He might list what
he’ll buy, but he might also say he’ll share the money with poor
people. One child who said he was going to build a “Kids’ World
Park” gave details about accommodating kids with disabilities.
Childhood is short. Through the years, your child will discover his
own limitations and learn how the world really works. His innocence
will gradually fade as he comes to terms with life’s realities. You
do him no harm now by allowing him his fantasies and listening to
his big dreams. |
