Young Children’s Imagination

Abstract

The following bibliography offers readers a glimpse into the breadth of research on young children and imagination and its impact on culture, research, and education practice. The writings are organized into seven sections: the Intertwining of Imagination and Creativity: A Symbiotic Relationship, Children and Imagination, Teacher Education: Strategies, Lessons, and Practice, Kieran Egan and the Theory of Imaginative Education, Imaginative Education Publications, Journals, and Handbooks. In many disciplines, the ideas of imagination and creativity have been conflated. This bibliography offers some key readings to help distinguish these two terms, while also confirming their interconnectedness. This complexity of definitions and usage of terms is more fully explored in the next section, which presents a variety of research projects looking closely at the role of imagination in early learning, play, and creative endeavors. The importance of imagination for young children’s development is further explored in the teacher-training section, where scholars, researchers, and educators share practical and theoretical suggestion for in-service teachers and current practicing teachers. This focus on education is deepened in the following two sections, focusing on a particular educational philosopher, Kieran Egan, and his educational theory, Imaginative Education—one of the most well-known educational theories. Following the major works about the theory of Imaginative Education written by its designer and creator, Kieran Egan, the bibliography collates articles that directly engage with the theory, in practical and theoretical settings, from early childhood to postsecondary education. Finally, the last two sections offer the reader a list of journals and handbooks about children’s thinking, education, and imagination.