What’s Your Dream World?
One day, as we were walking back from the park, two learners and I were chatting about all sorts of random topics. One conversation naturally led to another, and soon a few of them looked up at me and asked, “Ms. Chloe, what is your dream world?”
I paused for a moment and replied, “One where I could pick the weather depending on my mood that day.”
They immediately responded, “That’s an adult dream world! Think of a kid dream world!”
At first, I felt a little embarrassed. How boring was my world?
They eagerly shared their own dream worlds as examples.
“I would have all my stuffed animals turn into real animals, and I could talk to them.”
“My dream world would be one where everything is candy!”
After our conversation ended, I found myself really reflecting on the moment and on how lucky I am to have these learners guiding me. They teach me every day how to tap back into my childlike self. Whether we are digging in the dirt, playing laser tag, or stepping fully into their imaginative worlds through play.
When I talk to others outside of TVS about my job I almost always hear the same response about how fun it sounds and how lucky I am. They see me light up when I describe the joy, creativity, and unexpected adventures that fill my days with the learners. And they are right. I am lucky.
At the Village School, I feel my childlike self coming alive more and more. This environment invites wonder. It creates space for imagination. It gently pushes me to step outside the box of my practical, adult dreams and return to dreaming playfully.
That simple question from the learners shifted something in me. It made me realize that growing up does not have to mean growing out of imagination. Maybe it just means we need the right reminders.
So I challenge all of us to rediscover that childlike dream. Whether it is a land full of candy, a world where stuffed animals come to life, or something entirely your own, you get to choose. Don't be afraid to think like a kid again!
