"Little Children Have Big Ears"

 

Amelia Jane Murray

 

 

It is no wonder children love to be read to and eagerly await their skill to read.  Their desire is illustrated when they sit with a book in their lap, a pointed finger sliding over words, except they are making up the entire story.  My point ... we all have imagination whether it is mathematics, scientific discoveries, or writer extraordinaire.  Our child's imagination resides within. 

 

As children we see delight in both physical and imaginary things. We sense the tension in troubled situations as well as any existing happiness.  "Little pictures have big ears," is a saying to remind us that no matter what children are doing, they are listening to whatever is being said around them.

 

The information children hear very well may not be understood, but they can detect the intensity of anger or fear.  In turn, they demonstrate these feelings while coloring (art therapy), acting out, (play therapy) or withdrawing (dissociation). 

 

If our imagination is nurtured as a child, we can hone that skill, preparing it to be used in some authentic way in our adult life.  When our imagination is squelched as a child, we may repress it and condition ourselves to ignore it.  It is amazing that our imagination can return in full force at any point in time.

 

Whether we realize it or not, when we are reading, our imagination brings the words to life.  Our minds paint pictures with the writer's words.  And the writer's words?  They, too, of course come from experiences or day dream places.  They too have had 'big ears' overhearing conversations.

 

Our imagination allow us to see between the veils, to discover magic on the page, and fanciful adventures in our dreams.  If, as adults, we are willing to test our imagination, take a pencil and blank piece of paper.  Either sketch, jot down phrases or begin writing.  The experience is like any other ... the more we do it, the better we get!