Class Notes on Creative Thinking Skills
Embrace the Challenge
Taking on problems with a problem-solving attitude is probably the most satisfying way to perceive problems as opportunities. Open mindedness turns challenges into growth spurts. In what ways can you develop a problem-solving mindset? Students suggest building confidence through practice. Indeed practice makes permanent.
Open mindedness opens possibility
Having an open mind is central to creative thinking. It is the very ability to defer judgment and stay open to possibility that one is able to explore numerous options and come up with a solution that is novel and useful.
What makes creative thinking important
The capacity to embrace challenges can only be a good thing. Life and the world we live in is complicated. To live is to have problems. And to solve problems creatively is to use the highest order thinking skill we humans have: creativity. Through the development of Creative Thinking Skills, we become more able to engage challenges with success in finding solutions that add value, even if for a short while. Life is ever changing, and so the capacity to bring a skill set of embracing a challenge into problem solving builds the confidence needed to thrive in this messy world of ours.
Language matters
Notice, for example, that we use the term “challenge” instead of “problem.” At the neural level, humans are built to do two things: seek and play. “Seeking” translates to solving problems, is this food safe, where it is warm enough to sleep, how can I help my family and so on. “Play” refers to a childlike nature when imagination reigns most. The deliberate development of the ability to seek and play with intention is what will strengthen creativity.
As with all thinking skills, numerous sentence starters focus the mind on engaging in a way that is inviting. Knowing that we humans innately seek answers, the right language frames up challenges in a way that not only acknowledges the sticky situation, but also triggers the mind to go to work by stimulating curiosity. By simply saying, for example, “I’m frustrated,” is far more constructive than holding frustration in or lashing out. And by deliberately using open ended sentences, the mind can begin to look for possible solutions.
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WoC students demonstrate how to build confidence by creating a sense of stairs
Students express how they embrace the challenge of full time school away from home.
“If I had an hour to solve a problem I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.”
―Albert Einstein
Example sentence starters to practice embracing the challenge
“You look frustrated.”
“This is a fun challenge.”
“What ideas do you have?”
“How could we..?”
“How to..?”
“What might be all the ways we could…?”
“In what ways could we…?”
Tanya teaches Creative Thinking Skills creatively.
Playfulness matters!
Tanya Knudsen is a creative consultant, educator, polyglot and PhD candidate for creative leadership. Her quest is to ignite creative thinking, our super power and highest order thinking skill to maximize creative potential for everyone. This blogpost series is from Creativity Through English, a course Tanya teaches at
Wings of Change in Nosy Be, Madagascar that combines Creative Thinking Skills with English as a Second Language.
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