Imagination.

Here at CMA, we have had preschoolers tell us that they are not allowed to use their imaginations because to do so would be lying. We were shocked; how could parents come to associate imagination with dishonesty? But, sadly, our current education system is one that focuses on facts and figures, memorization and regurgitation. It measures success and intelligence through closed-ended answers recorded on bubble sheets. Parents, while having the best intentions for their children, encourage them to study hard, focus on homework, and engage in structured after-school activities (see the film “The Race to Nowhere”). When do these children have the opportunity for exploration and play? Where is the imagination in their lives? How can we ever expect another Harry Potter—or Star Wars or Lord of the Rings or Lemony Snicket– to develop from Scantron-imbued, drone-like students?

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