People who think creatively examine a problem from several different angles. They put ideas together in new and unusual ways to come up with unique solutions. Scientists, computer programmers, gardeners, and carpenters all think creatively in different ways throughout a day—and so does your child.

Here are two family ideas that will develop your child's creative thinking abilities.

When your child shows you something he or she has made, praise it, of course. But then ask about the steps involved in making it or comment on the interesting way the item was assembled. Discussing the thinking that went into a project rather than the end result demonstrates that you value ideas. More importantly, it helps your child analyze his or her thought process.

When your child encounters a challenge or problem, give him or her a chance to figure out what to do independently. Even though you may notice a roadblock and be itching to help, let your child come up with solutions. Just be ready to keep your child safe.

You might like to try these thought-provoking fun family activities with your child.

  • Ball Roll Challenge. Snap-together building bricks are great for building towers, garages, houses, or anything you can think of. For something a little different, build a ramp or set of steps that a small ball can roll down. How high can you make the ramp or steps? How many turns and curves can you include? Can you use up all the building bricks?
  • Appliance People. From an old catalog, cut out pictures of people and appliances such as vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, and toasters. Cut the pictures of people into heads, upper bodies (shirts and jackets), and lower bodies (pants and skirts). Make appliance people by replacing body segments with appliances. (Think vacuum cleaner lady or toaster belly man.) Create an art gallery of funny appliance people.
  • Adding On. When you're waiting in a line or driving in the car, make up a story together. Take turns adding on the next sentence or saying what will happen next. For example, you might start with, "One day, a girl named Teresa finds a lost kitten with a note on its collar." Your child might add, "The note says, 'follow me to my secret hideout.' "

Remember: there's no right or wrong when it comes to creative thinking. The point is to provide lots of opportunities for creative problem solving, help your child focus on thinking, and celebrate creative solutions.

 

 

Andrea L. Mack is a freelance writer.