Imagination: Egan's Imaginative Levels of Understanding

Kieran Egan: Imaginative Understanding

Egan suggests that the imagination develops in layers or levels, not necessarily stages. Each level that develops "masks" the other levels, but the other levels are still there underneath. 

The typical level of imaginative development for a two year old might be at the Somatic Understanding, entering the early part of the Mythic Understanding level (3-6 years).

I know Zeke real well though, and I can tell you, this child exhibits characteristics of the Romantic Understanding (he loves heroic stories, science fiction and extremes of reality). He loves to play "heroes" and "bad guys", loves firefighters, and will sit and watch nature videos on spiders, insects, and extremes of nature.

Overall, though, I would hypothesize that he is in the "Mythic" level: Legends, fairy tales, mystery, games, and make-believe play are all relevant in his life. Zeke is starting to make jokes (that sometimes only he understands) and then he says, "Oh that's so funny!"

He becomes a Power Ranger when he wears his costume.

He loves to sing and play instruments. He likes rhymes and patterns in songs.

Zeke loves to pretend he's a monster.

And talking about monsters.

The best thing for Zeke is to develop his learning by appealing to the stage of imagination he is in. If an activity can engage him through his imagination, he will learn so much more. His level of imagination will progress as he gains an understanding of written language and solidifies his achievements in oral language. He needs support and awareness of his changing imagination in order to be presented with the best opportunities for growth of the mind.