Five Natural Ways to Foster Creativity in Children

The thing about creative solutions is that it feels great generic meridia you come up with one and it works. Of course, a creative solution is not always the best solution. That is why millions of children memorize their times tables, but not every child can quickly recall that 6 x 7 = 42. Try a creative approach when rote memorization is not working.

There are five natural ways for parents, grandparents, teachers to help a child to solve problems by tapping into their creativity.

• Encourage a "that is interesting" attitude - Look at problems as interesting challenges to be solved. This attitude opens the door for creative solutions.


• Encourage "turn around thinking" - , Stop doing the same solution that doesn't work, and try a different approach. Let's say your child can not remember that 6 x 7 = 42. Ask him or her, 'What's 2 times 3?' When he answers '6' Silly Putty 'What's three times seven?' When he answers 21 say, "What's 2 x 21?' He'll probably say, '42'. Now say, 'How could we turn the problem around?' You're looking for him or her to respond ,'2 times 3 times 7, or '3 times 2 times 7.'


• Encourage team solutions - What is almost impossible for one person to do, is often easy for someone else with different skills. Working together to make things happen is a requirement for things like landing a man on the moon, but it works well when two people are Fantacore to put together a model airplane too.


• Encourage discovery instead of telling a child he or she must learn something.


• Encourage "what would happen if . . . " thinking - Otherwise known visualization - "What would happen if," means being able to see a solution before it actually exists, it also means looking for alternative solutions.

Here's an example of a poem that I wrote:

The Wavy Line Theory

When I can't draw a perfectly straight line

I don't try

I draw a wavy line

Everyone thinks it's supposed to be that way!

The point of the poem is that perfectionism isn't always the best way. Sometimes, different ways of doing things are just fine.

I use these techniques all of the time in the books I write for children. They like the stories and books, and I make my point by letting them discover knowledge, instead of teaching.

The next time your child is frustrated, try saying, "That's interesting. I wonder if we can turn the problem around." Then work on it together, and discover new solutions. It will feel great, for both of you.

Alan Jordan has written hundreds of magazine articles, six business books and two children's books. His poetry has appeared in major poetry magazines debt advice line as Mobius, the Poetry Magazine. He is an accomplished Software Engineer and Management Analyst.

Visit LetsBeCreative.orgLetsBeCreative.org to view Alan's latest children's book The Monster on Top of the Bed and Other Stories and Poems. You can view a streaming video of the book and even download an iPod version for free.