The Importance Of Pretending To Fly

An important element of any childhood is imagination. A simple example is pretending to fly. Whether this imaginary ability comes from powers within a la Superman, or from innovative assistance a la Iron Man, there are important mentalities at work.

The "from within" model instills a confidence in a node within that will one day express itself and allow the accomplishment of feats considered beyond the self. This won't be flying, obviously, but by the time a boy figures that out, the concept of power from within is already there.

The "through innovation" model reinforces the notion that you can do anything you put your mind to. This type of play is a precursor to setting and achieving goals, practicing self-reliance and expressing creativity.

So, whether Owen wants to pretend that he has super-powers or that he is using super-advanced technology, Carrie and I are teaching him how to fly.