Unlock the secrets to raising smart kids with Einstein’s surprising advice. Dive into the power of fairy tales to ignite creative imagination.
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If you could ask a genius a question, I wonder what it would be?
As chance would have it, one woman did have an opportunity just like this. She was a friend of the great Dr Albert Einstein. So she decided to take advantage of this association, to seek some advice on child-rearing.
Now this made for an interesting scenario. Let’s face it, if geniuses like Einstein can understand everything from quantum physics to the very architecture of the universe, then why not test them on some of life’s REALLY difficult issues – like parenting!
So, the woman in question was ambitious for her young son. She hoped he would grow up to do well and have good career prospects. (What parent wouldn’t?) In her case, she hoped he would be a scientist, perhaps just like Dr Einstein. And so the nature of her inquiry was concerning his education. She asked: what kind of reading material, in the genius’s opinion, would best prepare a child for a career in science.
The answer Einstein gave, however, is great advice for all children – no matter what career path they choose…
Einstein’s surprising advice
With little hesitation, Einstein replied – ‘fairy tales!’
I would love to have seen the woman’s face at this point! I bet she gave a polite little smile to humor him, believing him to be joking. Before earnestly and with some irritation, explaining that actually, she was being serious!
But on the second inquiry, Einstein’s recommendation remained unchanged. In fact, it was even more adamant. “Fairy tales and more fairy tales!” he reiterated.
And it’s from this, we reputedly get the meme “if you want your children to be intelligent read them fairy tales. And if you want them to be more intelligent read them more fairy tales”.
If you want your children to be intelligent read them fairy tales. And if you want them to be more intelligent read them more fairy tales
Whaaat?! Perhaps, like me (and the woman in the story), you’re left scratching your head and wondering why a genius would recommend something so seemingly frivolous?
If you want smart kids read them fairy tales – why would a genius say this?
Well, we could have been left in the dark, but thankfully Einstein elaborated. And it all hinges around creative imagination.
Basically, Einstein is saying our creative imagination is the most important thing we possess for intelligence. And fairy tales have the necessary qualities to boost this in our children. Yes, fairy tales help us raise smart kids!
Old Einstein is saying, we may be able to score 100% in a test, but there’s something more required, to be truly intelligent. He’s saying we may be able to solve any mathematical equation, or know the facts to win the table quiz. But without the addition of creative imagination, we’ll never push intelligence to its fullest potential.
This gives a whole lot of hope to those of us who struggle with learning by rote or passing exams. But what really is creative imagination?
What is creative imagination?
Creative imagination is an incredible ability which allows us to form mental images of things we’ve never fully experienced before.
While imagination allows us to picture things from our memory (you can imagine the taste of a strawberry even though you’re not eating one right now), creative imagination is more about being able to come up with original and inventive ideas.
A hallmark, is being able to break away from the way everyone else thinks. It’s about being able to come up with new and unconventional solutions. It’s sometimes referred to as ‘out of the box’ or divergent thinking and makes for truly smart kids.
You see, creative imagination takes us to a whole new zone- a place where we can sidestep the boundaries of logic. This means we can explore things that aren’t real or don’t even exist yet. When we’re not constricted by constraints like the physical laws of nature, cultural traditions or common beliefs, we can envision possibilities that have never been explored.
This allows us to investigate new ways of thinking about things and challenge long-standing assumptions. I mean, I’m quite sure the Wright brothers were fully aware of the laws of gravity, but thankfully that didn’t deter them from entertaining the notion of flight or we’d all miss out on foreign holidays.
But where does our creative imagine come from?
Where does creative imagination come from?
Here’s the really exciting thing. While our conscious mind is busy registering what’s going on in the outer world through our senses, our creative imagination comes more from the depths of our inner world.
It draws from the diverse influences there, allowing us to connect various elements of our subconscious mind. Things such as beliefs, memories, feelings, values, experiences, personality and individuality, all converge in ways that create a unique and personal take on things. This then has the potential to become the driving force behind our ability to transform the world around us.
Creative intelligence is what’s called on, when the answer to something doesn’t lie before us. It’s what’s needed to find new ways of doing something. And that’s why extreme circumstances often push us to new innovations – as they say- ‘necessity is the mother of invention’.
So how does creative imagination make for smart kids?
The role of creative imagination in developing smart kids
Children are born with a rich and innate creative imagination, which is closely tied to their play, curiosity, and ability to think beyond the confines of reality (mostly because they haven’t yet learned how the world works). It’s why they are comfortable chatting away to imaginary friends. Or asking you questions like how you might react if your banana suddenly started talking to you!
In children, creative imagination shows itself through imaginative play, such as storytelling, role-playing, artwork, and inventive problem-solving. It enables them to create imaginary worlds, invent fictional characters, and come up with original ideas. Their creative imagination allows them to transform ordinary everyday objects into something entirely different. (How many things can one cardboard box be?!)
So, when he said read fairy tales, Einstein was really encouraging us to nurture our children’s creative imagination, in order to develop smart kids.
So, will any book do, or does it have to be fairy tales?
All reading is beneficial for children as books expand our knowledge.
Einstein, however, specifically recommends fairy tales for the development of creative imagination, because unlike other stories, they contain magical elements. So, just as the laws of logic and convention don’t apply in our imagination, likewise they don’t apply in fairy tales either (who doesn’t love a good talking donkey, or a puss in boots!)
It’s this supernatural element that holds the nugget of divergent thinking Einstein was after. It’s all about a belief in the things we don’t yet understand and haven’t yet experienced. It’s about trusting there are solutions we haven’t yet found, but which lie within us. It’s a belief in the things that are greater than us, that develop smart kids.
Don’t believe in magic?
Well, a beautiful princess cursed to an early death by an evil fairy, but rescued by the kiss of a handsome prince, is certainly a fairy tale. But it becomes the fabric of reality, when we think about things like the young men cursed to an early death, from wounds sustained on the battle fields of World War 2. They were then rescued ‘by the kiss’ of Dr Flemming’s penicillin – a discovery which became known as the war’s miracle drug because it saved millions of lives.
When we think of things that seem impossible, it feels that something supernatural is the only way to make them real. Once they do become a reality though, we are quick to forget just how miraculous they are.
So, let’s not lose the magic – keep believing in the impossible.
And keep reading fairy tales, or any fantasy stories, for that’s what will nurture creative imagination.
But let’s dig a little bit deeper, to find out how these stories develop smart kids.
How do fairy tales foster smart kids?
Here’s 5 things they do…
1 Fairy tales teach kids to think outside the box
With the words ‘Once upon a time,’ we are given the cue we are leaving the real world and about to enter an enchanted one. Readers are transported to magical realms where anything could happen. By encountering fantastical creatures, enchanted landscapes, and extraordinary events, we are encouraged to imagine beyond the boundaries of reality.
All this sparks our children’s imagination, inspiring them to think unconventionally and from new perspectives. They’ll discover the limitless possibilities of their own creative minds and develop a rich imagination that extends far beyond the pages of the storybook.
2 Fairy tales teach children to think in patterns of symbolism and metaphor
Fairy tales often use symbolism and metaphor to convey deeper meanings.
Characters, objects, and events in these stories represent abstract concepts or universal truths. Roses, for instance, often symbolize beauty, mirrors – a window of the soul (the wicked queen in Snow White) and the ugly duckling is a metaphor for those who are marginalized and excluded.
This symbolism encourages kids to decipher the hidden messages within the tales, which develops in them the ability to see beyond the literal. It strengthens their innate ability to make connections, draw parallels and view things from different perspectives.
3 Fairy tales develop problem-solving skills
Fairy tales often feature characters facing challenges and overcoming obstacles. As readers follow their journeys, they engage with them in problem-solving.
Children will be inspired by how the characters find creative solutions, imagine different outcomes, and consider alternative perspectives. This strengthens their ability to think outside the box in ways that can be applied to various real-life situations. All important skills for smart kids.
Just imagine if fairy tales inspired our children (or us for that matter!) to find residual income streams as effective as Jack’s hen (the one with the golden eggs!)
4 Fairy tales teach children to question the status quo
Fairy tales play a significant role in teaching children to challenge long-standing assumptions.
These timeless stories serve as windows into worlds where conventional boundaries are broken. Children encounter champions who defy social expectations and confront adversity with courage and resilience. It’s a world where paupers marry princes, and lazy kids become heroes.
Following the characters’ journeys, children learn to question the status quo and scrutinize deeply ingrained or inherited beliefs. By presenting moral dilemmas, ambiguous characters, and unexpected plot twists, children learn to question stereotypes and authority, and explore alternative perspectives. These push the boundaries of thinking, to boost smart kids.
In a world filled with instant information, fake new and governments with agendas, it is crucial to embrace a mindset that rejects naivety and questions assumptions.
5 Fairy tales inspire children to be champions and defenders
Fairy tale heroes often inspire us to be better people.
While fairy tales seem so far removed from reality, there are elements within them that resonate perfectly with the world we live in – such as themes of oppression and social injustice. Think of it – Jack (of Beanstalk notoriety) struggled with poverty, Cinderella was bullied, abused and denied equality, and Rapunzel was unjustly imprisoned.
Sometimes those trapped in the patterns of social injustice, have been so battered, they lose the ability to dream and to see things as they rightfully could and should be. They lose hope.
Creative imagination is a spiritual gift. If our children learn to develop a wild, hopeful imagination they will become champions of the oppressed. They will dream for those who cannot dream, bring hope in difficulty, and set others free. Truly smart kids will find supernatural solutions to the world’s problems.
When Martin Luther King said, “I have a dream,” he was using his God-inspired creative imagination to envision a future free from racial injustice.
To bring this dream into reality, required supernatural solutions. For this, he chose non-violent resistance, which he described as “a courageous confrontation of evil by the power of love”. Just as Beauty releases the beast from his curse by the power of love, so the supernatural power of love moved in people’s hearts and actions enough to begin a move towards social justice.
Today people all round the world are using their creative imaginations to find solutions to world problems.
Closing thoughts on how creative imagination fosters smart kids
Sadly, as we age, our creative imagination begins to wane.
This is because we learn the rules of our environment and start to think more logically and without questioning things. We become afraid to think differently because we’re worried what people might think and we become more cynical and set in our ways.
So perhaps as we encourage our children to read fairy tales, we should be joining them to boost our creativity and divergent thinking.
In most fairy tales, the good characters’ problematic circumstances are generally overcome to allow for the formulaic conclusion “and they all lived happily ever after”. While this is a romanticized and unrealistic ending for real life, it nonetheless hints to the idea that bad circumstances can be improved.
So, on that note, I’ll end – but may you all live happily ever after.
