CREATIVE THINKING

“The principal goal of education is to create men who are capable of doing new things. The second goal of education is to form minds which can be critical.” Jean Piaget

Innovative learning is necessary to prepare children for a fast-changing world. They need to learn to think creatively.

TV/video, computers, calculators and other hardware are simply tools of the mind, tools for learning.

“I believe in intuition and inspiration…. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knoweledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world.” Albert Einstein

Thinking: takes effort involves looking beyond the surface of things

WHAT IS CREATIVE THINKING? To create better solutions to problems To create new solutions to problems It requires CRITICAL JUDGEMENT.

Creativity means imagination and originality, which are required in any situation.

CARE, EFFORT, HIGH MOTIVATION, PERSISTANCE, TIME are needed to be creative and to produce something original.

Creativity has to be encouraged at a young age with warmth, positive approval of significant adults for children, in a atmosphere of psychological safety and freedom.

THE CREATIVE PROCESS STIMULA elicit creative thinking. WHY?? WHAT??? HOW??? LOOK AT THAT …..

EXPLORATION Consider alternatives!

PLANNING involves Defining problem or task Gathering info Making thinking visible (by thinking aloud, using images, drawing or writing).

ACTIVITY Children need to realise their creative thinking in ACTION. They create also through movement and touch.

REVIEW Children have to be trained to use their judgement and imagination to evaluate their ideas.

CREATIVITY IN PRACTICE Both FEELING and THINKING are useful to be creative in practice. FLUENCY The more a child generates ideas in play and informal settings the more fluent will be in generating solutions to the real life.

FLEXIBILITY is the ability to overcome mental blocks ORIGINALITY is shown by an unusual or rare response ELABORATION is shown by transforming some simple stimulus in something more complex.

CoRT TECHNIQUES Edward De Bono PMI  Plus the good things about an idea, why you like it Minus the bad things, why you don’t like it Interesting what you find interesting about an idea CAF  Consider All Factors

C&S: Consequences and Sequel Children need training in thinking about consequences to others and to themselves. AGO: Aims, Goals, Objectives Children have to comprehend that human actions often have a purpose

FIP: First Important Priorities Children have to decide which are the most important ideas they have generated. APC: Alternatives, Possibilities, Choices Children need to be trained in thinking about alternatives. OPV: Other Point of View Children need help to learn seeing from other point of view.

LATERAL THINKING Activities = help children develop lateral thinking, which is the basis of creativity Pictures Stories ( important for divergent thinking) Brainstorming (useful in the exploration stage) Designing, drawing (to make thinking visible) Word play (useful to make connections between ideas, facts and experiences)