What is creative thinking? What is the difference between creative thinking and critical thinking? And more importantly, how is the decline of creative thinking abilities in America affecting our children?
Without the ability to think creatively, new ideas and new ways of thinking will become things of the past. For those who believe in God, one of His stated attributes is creativity, and as beings created in His image we are obliged to cultivate creativity everywhere. Even if you do not believe in God, one can easily see how a world without constant and consistent innovation is one doomed to fail. Thus it is set to us as those who are called to work with youth in any capacity to cultivate creativity here and now. This is not an easy task in light of what was stated previously. Here are a few practical suggestions:
1. Encourage the asking of questions. Live by the motto that "there's no such thing as a dumb question." Questioning the world around us has been a catalyst for innovation since the beginning of time.
2. At every possible opportunity, give children and youth opportunities to problem solve on their own, unhindered and unaided by adults.
Read more on this topic here, including results from recent studies on the American "Creativity Quotient" as posted by Newsweek.
In addition, we have a new resources page on this topic with a few resources on creativity, it's development in children and ways to enhance your own creative thinking abilities.
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