People often mistake creative thinking skills as innate, meaning you’re born with them. However, that is not the case. Research reveals that all humans are born creative but are often dulled by the education system. Recognizing this, West Ryde Long Day Care focuses on rekindling that innate creativity within children. The fear of failure, linear thinking, and social expectations are cited as factors that suppress creative thinking as we grow up.
Creative thinkers are in demand and will be more so in the coming years. Their ability to bring “out of the box” ideas to the table and solve problems creatively has raised their demand.
As a parent, it’s your responsibility to improve your child’s creative thinking. Doing so at a young age will preserve their skills, which will benefit them in life. Here, we’ll discuss ways to boost your child’s creative thinking. While they won’t become the next Picasso, they will certainly be equipped with the resources needed to think creatively.
1. Explore the Universe
The vastness of the universe, the sun, the sky, and the clouds fascinate kids. Often, they try to figure out how everything works. This piques their curiosity, encouraging them to think outside the box, which stimulates their creativity. Besides, exploring the universe gives them a leg up in science class– so why not teach them about it?
Many studies have discovered a positive link between space exploration and children’s creativity. Several findings have found that kids exposed to space exploration have greater degrees of problem-solving abilities than those who aren’t.
Teach your kids about the solar system by creating a paper mâché model. Not only will this be a fun activity, but a hands-on way to learn about the universe. Making models out of styrofoam balls is another excellent way to introduce the solar system to your child.
Taking your kid to planetariums will also be beneficial, as the sky shows and mini solar system artwork will stir up their curiosity. Besides, exposure to scientific concepts at planetariums will stimulate a sense of wonder in them. Ultimately, this will foster creative thinking.
2. Let Them Play Games
We bet you didn’t see this coming, but playing games can improve children’s creative thinking skills.
Playing games involves the use of mental muscles, which spurs inventive thinking. As such, children learn to see problems from different perspectives. This allows them to use resources in a unique way, generate new ideas, and do things differently.
Word games are beneficial in boosting creative thinking skills. They urge kids to connect their imagination with acquired concepts and establish creative associations between various aspects. Therefore, encourage your children to play with them.
Old-fashioned games like Pictionary and Story Cubes are also effective in sparking creativity and opening kids to unusual interpretations and, ultimately, innovation and problem-solving.
If your child loves spending time on the iPad, online games are your best bet.
You might argue that games have a negative impact on children’s development, but studies suggest the opposite. A handful of studies have discovered that kids who play games are more creative than those who don’t.
Among the online games that foster creativity, the go-to pick for most parents is Roblox. It’s easy to see why: games on Roblox present numerous challenges to kids, which require them to think critically.
Roblox also helps children engage in social interactions by allowing children to play games together.
Recently, the company has revealed its plans to introduce a pseudo-video chat feature into the platform. This feature will allow users to communicate and interact with others over voice chat without seeing each other directly, states Gameflip. As such, children will learn socialization skills.
What sets Roblox apart from other gaming platforms is that it has over 24 million games. Hence, your child will learn new ways to solve problems. As of 2023, there are more than 20 million active users of Roblox games below the age of 13, reports Statista.
While Roblox games can be purchased from its official website, know that you’ll have to pay the full price. Instead of the website, buy Roblox games from a marketplace, as many sell them at discounted rates. That way, you’ll be able to save some money.
3. Read Together
Too much TV limits children’s creativity. That is why it’s best to reduce their screen time. Instead, make room for reading.
We say so because reading introduces children to a whole new world, allowing them to visualize the scenes, settings, and characters described in books. As children mentally explore the world presented in the text, reading stimulates their imagination and encourages creative thinking.
Make sure you read your child books that are easy to comprehend. This will ensure your child enjoys the stories as you read.
Wrapping Up
Creative thinking skills are important in kids because it helps them solve problems. It also lets them understand complex situations better and how to adjust to them. Creative thinking skills also build confidence in kids, which is why they are able to experiment with ideas and take risks.
While boosting your child’s creative thinking skills might seem challenging, it isn’t. With a bit of effort and encouragement, you can improve your kid’s creative thinking skills and help them get innovative. Just follow the strategies mentioned above, and we are sure your child will emerge as a creative thinker.
