Developing creative thinking in kids used to be more of a “nice to have” than a “need to have”. It wasn’t that long ago that art, and the creative thinking learned through art, was considered “extra”, or elective.
But fast forward a few years, and the world and its problems have become increasingly complex. Creative thinking can no longer be just the “cherry on top” of a well-rounded education. It must be foundational to every child’s education.
Today, creative thinking is essential not only to progress in our fast-paced world, but to our well-being and even survival. The innovation and solutions we need depend on new ideas from creative minds in the generations who follow us.
The good news is that the skills of analysis, problem solving, invention, and reflection can be taught and learned. These are the same thought processes used by today’s greatest thinkers, inventors, and leaders.
While some children may seem more “naturally creative” than others, we can stimulate creative thinking in all kids. And when we combine creative thinking with critical thinking, there’s no limit to what the next generation can accomplish.
Here are 5 keys to developing creative thinking in kids:
Fluency is the ability to generate a long list of ideas, solutions, or questions. Similar to brainstorming, fluency relates to quickly producing a large number of ideas, without screening for quality or feasibility.
Fluency exercises can be a fun way to “wake up the brain” when searching for creative solutions. Some examples could be to list nouns that begin with the letter ”A”, list things that are white, or list tools an artist might use.
“Circle Brainstorming” is a fluency-building drawing activity where students are given a page full of empty circles. The circles can be all the same size or different sizes. Have students use a pencil to turn each circle into something that has a circular shape, like a clock, a sun, a wreath, or…
A student’s drawing can be contained within a circle, or go outside it. It could even connect multiple circles, like a pair of glasses with round lenses. Try the same activity with squares, rectangles, triangles, or ovals.
Flexibility is the ability to see things differently, from an uncommon or unexpected perspective. Flexibility involves breaking old habits, patterns, and traditions… being “open-minded”.
To practice flexibility, you could ask students to think of a new use for a common item, like a fork or an empty spool of thread. Or they could write a new ending to a familiar story, or create a new game to play with a deck of cards.
The “MacGyver Project“ is flexibility-building activity for small groups. (Macgyver was a TV series where the main character used clever, unconventional solutions to solve problems.)
To play the Macgyver Project, divide students into small “teams” of 4 or 5 students. Give each team the same collection of random materials, like a rubber band, some string, a roll of tape, a paper plate, a pencil, etc.
Then assign the same problem for each group to solve. It could be anything from inventing a device to help kids wake up on time to solving world hunger. Set a timer so kids know they need to work fast but with enough time to actually generate some ideas. It’s fun to see what the different groups come up with!
Originality is the ability to express ideas that are unconventional, unusual, novel, or unique. (An idea doesn’t need to be judged as useful in order to be original.)
Open-ended questions and prompts will facilitate originality. Ask, “What can you do with a pile of bricks?” Or, “What would make your school’s playground better than any other?”
“Create-a-Creature” is a fun activity to stimulate students’ imaginations and originality. Have students imagine a fantastical creature with special adaptations for survival. Maybe it has horns and wings, feet with webbed toes for swimming, and a long flexible tail to help it live in trees.
Ask students to write about where their creature lives, what it eats, and what it is eaten by. How do its unique features help it survive? Have them give their creature a fun name and draw a picture of it in its habitat.
Elaboration is the ability to take ideas a step further, filling in the details and adding finishing touches. Elaboration enhances an idea.
For example, you could have students choose any 3-digit number. Then have them add lines and details to turn that number into something entirely new.
Or, students could start with an opinion about a work of art and then write a paragraph that supports it. They could also write a story about what might have inspired that work of art, adding adjectives and adverbs to enhance it.
“Adorn-a-Doodle” is a quick, creative elaboration activity for two or more to play. Have each child draw a simple doodle on a piece of paper and then trade papers with another student. Their task is to “adorn” the doodle they were handed with enough details to create an interesting realistic or abstract drawing.
Risk-taking is the ability to generate and share ideas that are outside the norm. When students are afraid of failing or making mistakes, they tend to be risk-averse and lean toward conforming, which stifles creativity.
Students who believe there are no right or wrong answers are more willing to take risks. When unconventional ideas are not only accepted but welcomed, the environment feels less threatening and students become more creative.
Brainstorming practice can encourage risk-taking when the “rules” are explained in advance, and throughout the session as needed. Some students may be timid at first until they see that all ideas, even the most ridiculous, are truly welcome.
Try beginning with a problem to solve, like “How could we raise enough money to buy a new kiln for our school?” Then write every idea students offer on the board, without judging its feasibility or practicality. One idea leads to another and you never know where a brilliant idea might start from.
These 5 keys to developing creative thinking in kids will help them learn to “think outside the box” and generate unique ideas and solutions to problems.
The next step is to develop the critical thinking skills that will help kids apply higher-order thought processes to any situation that requires decision-making.
an inspiring quote
“Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought.”
~ Albert Einstein
Creativity begins with perceiving and understanding the world around us, just as others do. We all have a shared reality that everyone can observe.
But creativity doesn’t stop there. It involves thinking beyond conventional boundaries, challenging norms, and exploring new possibilities.
This quote reminds us that creativity doesn’t emerge from nothing, but is rooted in shared experiences and observations. Creative thinking is not about disregarding what others see, but perceiving the same things in a unique, insightful way.
Creative thinking often involves making unexpected connections between concepts, questioning assumptions, and approaching problems from fresh angles.
This ability to see the same things but think differently is foundational to living creatively.