Visualization: Seeing Solutions

This year, the Olympic Games have shown us the power of strength and agility in competitive sports to the highest caliber. One other skill that may go unnoticed in the midst of the record-breaking moments is the use of visualization.

This powerful tool is the baseline of processing and retaining new information for young students. It is also a secret weapon for athletes and professionals of all kinds when it comes to the mental aspect of physical achievement.

Visualization is defined by Dr. Lynn F. Hellerstein, author of the bestselling book, See It, Say It, Do It!, as: 

“The ability to imagine, sense, become aware of, move, manipulate and expand the pictures in your mind’s eye and the feelings or senses in your body, thereby developing new perspectives and creativity.” – The Power of Visualization

stephen nedoroscik visualization

A great example of visualization comes from the popular Netflix show, “The Queen’s Gambit.” The main character, Elizabeth, who is a chess prodigy, is seen many times with an imaginary chess board on the ceiling of her bedroom. Her mind dictates where each piece moves as she plays countless matches against herself, all from the power of her imagination.

Can you “SEE” the story unfold as you read?

Whether it is an Olympian, a chess champion, or your own child, visualization is a technique that can work to enhance the performance of an individual both academically and physically. Many young advanced readers will explain that they can see the story unfolding in their head as they go along the page. This is visualization! Closing your eyes and seeing yourself entertain the audience in an important presentation coming up, or successfully closing a crucial business deal is a way you may practice visualization yourself.

People with a visual processing disorder are less likely to be natural mental visualizers. There are, however, many fun activities to influence this imaginative processing with your child at an early age.

A great idea comes from Dr. Hellerstein’s book, and it is based on America’s favorite lunchtime meal: the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. This activity involves critical thinking and using your imagination to guide your logical processing skills.

A guardian and the child will work together in the kitchen. Be prepared for any messes that may accompany this activity! The adult will ask the child to give them instructions on how to make a PB&J sandwich.

The trick here is for the adult to do exactly what the child tells you. For example, if the child says, “Put the peanut butter on the bread.” The adult should place the entire unopened jar of peanut butter onto the slice of bread. After all, they never told you to actually open the jar of peanut butter.

Keep letting the child guide you through the process, and they will have to start thinking more specifically about what they want you to accomplish, and what steps they need to tell you to complete the task.

Building the skills of visualization can be less complicated than one might think.

Peanut butter and jelly visualization activity

The benefits of encouraging active visualization can be long lasting in their academic and physical development.

With the right tools in your child’s back pocket, their ability to perceive their actions and follow through with their goals, even if just imaginary, can help them flourish in the school and sports settings for a lifetime.