Whatever you think, remember to consider the opposite. How to encourage children to think creatively?

Finding solutions and generating new, original ideas are good exercises for the brain and skills that will prove very useful in life. It’s not about big discoveries at all. It could be a more ergonomic arrangement of things in kitchen cabinets or the use of some seemingly unnecessary object. Of course, it’s easier for some people and harder for others. However, what helps is simply training it and providing space for creative thinking, from an early age. Free time is a good moment to practise creative thinking. Here are some ideas:

Training time

Think about what would have happened, if...

There was no colour green?

It was always summer?

Electricity hadn’t been invented?

Everyone could hear what others think about them?

Each of you could also propose your own “What if...?” question.

Try to come up with as many different solutions as possible. You can write them down or draw them. You can come up with new questions tailored to your children’s age. This game can go on and on.

Go outside the lines

You probably remember tracing patterns or colouring at school. You were supposed to stay inside the lines and there could not be a single white spot left in the background. Creativity doesn’t like excessively rigid rules. So, allow your child to play freely, meaning that the child is the one to decide what they do, how they do it and what they use. When playing, use everyday objects. Can a plastic toy box be a doll’s pool? Sure! What’s important is not to limit oneself.

If you want something, you’ll find a way

Does your child ever drive you crazy with their unusual ideas? Do they keep looking for their own solutions and won’t have any rigid rules imposed on them? Yes, it can be tiring, but, on the other hand, it shows creativity. The search for their own solutions is also an expression of your children’s freedom. The very process of generating ideas is necessary and makes the child grow. Although at some point, it’s time for verification and it’s good to have something to choose from. The number and variety of invented solutions are a testament to creativity and offer a wide choice. Why don’t you make use of your skills and come up with an unusual solution together? We have an assignment for you. Good luck!

Think about what would happen if there were no people among us who see the wall as an insurmountable obstacle and instead, see things that you can make a ladder with. Read about other ways of enhancing creativity in the text by psychotherapist Kamila Becker.

All source materials are prepared by the team of Kulczyk Foundation’s Education Department in cooperation with teachers and experts – pedagogists, psychologists and cultural experts – and verified by an experienced family therapist Kamila Becker. Kinga Kuszak, PhD, Professor of Adam Mickiewicz University, Faculty of Educational Studies, provides content-related supervision over Kulczyk Foundation’s educational materials. All materials are covered by the content patronage of the Faculty of Educational Studies of Adam Mickiewicz University.

The article was published on 21.04.2020 on the website of Instytut Dobrego Życia (Good Life Institute)

Authors: Marta Tomaszewska (Kulczyk Foundation) and Anna Woźniak (Instytut Dobrego Życia)