lack of imagination

[spook71]

my son of 7years old is quite bright and happy little boy but struggles to play by himself with his toys ,he will play with the wii,3ds and watch tv all day long if we let him (we limit him to around a hour a day on games consoles,we play with him go to the park and he loves playing out with his friends but when we would like him just play on his own even for 5mins when were busy he struggles and sometimes sulks.he just dosent seem to have the imagination to for example getting play figures to talk/fight /play to each other ,or cars to race !! ??

I'm not quite sure what you're asking but perhaps he's just not into that sort of play?

I wasn't either as a child.

Would he read a book when you want him to settle down and spend some time on his own?

Have you asked him about it?

Hi, we've moved this into Parenting.

Thanks for the replies.thanks admin. He will read and do colouring and do playdoh,painting once set up .but toys he wont pretend or can't do pretend play with them such the toyboats on water or the space mans in space etc .just wondered if this is ok?

Can't do pretend play or won't though? You have to sak him why he doesn't find these things entertaining to get a handle on the reasons for it. If he genuinely doesn't like this kind of play then I'd say that, aged 7, it's nothing to worry about.

I think he probably needs someone to show him how to set up a story and keep it going. Not 'playing with' exactly but lobbing in a few ideas to get his imagination started. TV and Wii can be useful. If he's seen the movie 'Cars' for example and has toy cars, he could recreate the plot

Try reading 'Playful Parenting' available on Amazon. Sometimes kids need us to get down with them and interact on their level, ( literally and figuratively!)

My dd (8) has never been able to do imaginative play either. She just doesn't seem to see the point of it whereas dd2 does little else.

Dd1 draws mostly. Makes things, Hama beads, does cartwheels, plays swing ball/ tennis against the wall, reads.

Last week she made invitations and costumes for a party for her soft toy- but the party never happened. She just likes doing the making.

Thanks for the ideas