The news is full of talk and speculation about the “Montauk Monster“, a mysterious carcass that washed up on some beach in Montauk, New York last Summer. Apparently a new carcass has appeared bearing superficial resemblance to the original creature, causing wild and hilarious debate over its origins and possible connection to the first monster.
Regardless of whether any of this is legitimate, it’s still wonderful to me to see so much attention being put onto this “story”. Despite any actual benefit to our expanding zoological knowledge, sometimes it’s just fun to believe something outlandish.
Growing up, I never had an imaginary friend, the way I understand some small percentage of children do. I’ve been watching for signs of one in my five year old, but so far, nothing. Whether or not one appears eventually, I’ve been encouraging my son to believe in things he can’t see. Why? Because it makes his mind more flexible.
We all know from scientific studies and behavioral reports that these early years are crucial for a child’s mental development. There is research that shows that the actual physical convolutions of the brain change as a child gets older, which seems to prove the point. By exposing a child to new ideas, we can open new areas of the brain and form new connections, allowing for richer, more capable modes of thought. Kids who are challenged by new ideas become accustomed to trying new things, and this can make them more flexible and creative as they make their way through the world.
So the next time your child comes to you, worried about the monster under her bed or in the closet, take her very seriously, and come up with an equally creative solution to the problem. Make friends with the monster by leaving out a small plate of food for it, and remove it when your child goes to sleep. Later, tell her now the monster is friendly, and she doesn’t have to be afraid anymore. Sometimes it’s just more fun to believe things, and it’s great to be able to turn a scary situation into a joyful one.
