The flexible thinking series: Part 1

Teaching flexible thinking through shapes and colours

For this part of the Flexible Thinking Series, I am going to suggest some methods we can use the concepts of shapes and colours to encourage flexible thinking.

1) Identifying different shapes that can be spotted in a picture.

 Ask the child what shapes he can spot in the picture. Then, trace the shape with a coloured pen or pencil to make it more concretely for the child.

2) What can we draw with a 'shape' exercise. Ask the child to choose a shape. Then inform the child that you are going to use the shape to draw things that you can think of together. "What can we use the triangle to draw?" Start off by showing the child what you mean, " I know! We can use the triangle to draw a roof!" Continue with the prompt till the child gets an idea of what the exercise is about. Then gradually let the child take charge.

After drawing some items with the shape, have the child colour the pictures but only part of the pictures that are the shape you were talking about - in this case, only the triangles. After the colouring, praise the child and go through with her the things you have drawn with the shapes. The purpose of the exercise will seem even more concrete with the shapes being coloured.

3) Colouring pictures of items that have different colours. For example, colouring two apples in a picture," Jane is eating a green apple and billy is eating a red apple". Let the child choose the colours, for example,  of different shirts, "John is wearing a -- shirt and Fabian is wearing a -- shirt". Make up stories for the child to follow so that he has the cue to choose, "It is a rainy day. What do you think the clouds look like? Pick a colour."

4) Playing with paint or water colours. Letting the child mix the paints to get different shades and types of colours can be a fun and exploratory experience for the child.

There are so many ideas we can use with shapes and colours to teach flexible thinking and creativity. I am sure you can come up with lots of more interesting ideas while playing and working with your child. The most important thing when it comes to creativity is having fun and exploring the endless possibilities you can create with your child.

I hope you have liked the Flexible Thinking Series so far. If you have any suggestions or comments regarding the series or anything in particular, please do not hesitate to email me at davensim@triumphantkids.com.

Also, please visit my website, www.triumphantkids.com to find out more about the services that I provide.

With deepest rewards,
Daven