“Creativity can be described as letting go of certainties.” - Gail Sheehy
At this age, it is high time that we realize that parenting is not always about paving the path that our children will walk no, it is not about eliminating challenges and making things smooth for them…it is about letting go of certainties so that our kids learn to create their solutions for the problems the face.
We have all heard about critical thinking being a crucial life skill. So, how is creative thinking different from it?
Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally about information. It involves evaluating the accuracy, relevance, and usefulness of information.
Creative thinking is the ability to come up with new and original ideas. It involves thinking outside the box and seeing things from different perspectives. Creative thinkers can generate new ideas, and solve problems in new ways with innovative solutions.
Why creative thinking is an essential skill for kids?
Creative thinking increases emotional intelligence, which aids children in dealing with stressful situations. It makes them more emotionally resilient.
Creative thinking boosts confidence. By allowing your child to express themselves creatively, you are helping them build their patience and motivation levels. Appreciating their work and thought process enables them to develop a sense of worth.
Creative thinking promotes decision-making and problem-solving. These key life skills develop when you let your child become a creative thinker. They learn to make better choices and look at things from different perspectives.
Creative thinking helps them to achieve more. Strong creative thinking skills tend to show leadership qualities and independence on the job or in other areas where such qualities are valued by employers or colleagues alike.
The list can go on…but we would like to focus on how parents can foster creative thinking skills in their kids at home.
Follow these 5E’s at home to raise a creative thinker!!!
Encourage them to try new things: Don’t stop them from exploring new things or trying our new ways as long as it is not hazardous. Moving away from certainties will help them try our new perspectives and approach things in different ways. Urge them to ask questions, challenge things, and gather new and process information.
Emphasize the process rather than the result: There is no end to learning. So, help them understand that the journey is more memorable than the destination. Failing is fine as long as they can learn from it. Let them fail and learn, and try again. Every time they try a new challenge, a new solution, a new opportunity will open up.
Engage yourself in reading, playing, and other activities with them: Involve yourself in their daily activities, be a role model, communicate and converse with them as much as possible. Reading, family activities, household responsibilities, and storytelling are all part of this.
Empower them to make decisions: As they grow up, start involving them in decision-making around the house. Let them make decisions and justify the same. This will help them build leadership and analytical skills. It also helps to make them more responsible.
Express your appreciation and let them express their views: Always appreciate their efforts and let them express their thought process. An appreciation can be as simple as a pat on the back or some encouraging words. Always hear what they have to say because they might bring up a new perspective that you might not even thought of. Nurture not only their bodies but their minds too!
You are responsible for inculcating these key skills in your child today to prepare them to face situations tomorrow when they feel more confident and less stressed.
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