Imagination leads to innovation! I am currently teaching English in China and I've seen what you are talking about quite often. When young, Chinese children are just like any other children. Full of life, laughter, and imagination. Eventually that light and creative spirit get stifled because the Chinese education system does not value imagination. Children are taught how to memorize and how to pass tests. It's sad to see and I am a big supporter of allowing children creative freedom. In order to create something new, first you have to be able to visualize it!