The importance of fantasy
Does the same thing happen for you? — You’re doing something meaningful that you enjoy, and your mind starts thinking of what could be. In other words, the realm of fantasy, of imagination, enters the picture, and when it does, it plays a big role in creating, sustaining, and growing my motivation. All this helps me want to do good things, for real.
Or, as John Holt wrote:
“Children use fantasy not to get out of, but to get into, the real world.”
I think this is true for children, teenagers, and adults.
So tap into it. As you observe your learners busily beavering away, ask the question:
If this was real, what would be happening?
It’ll help you work out how to respond in a way that honours the fantasy, which will help make things more real for your learners.