How to help kids build flexible thinking skills
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By Julie Rawe
Expert reviewed by Amanda Morin
Quick tips to build flexible thinking
- Quick tip 1Play Fannee Doolee.Play Fannee Doolee.
In this word game, Fannee Doolee likes words that have double letters. For example, Fannee Doolee likes bees but not bugs. She likes jelly but not jam. Take turns coming up with pairs of words Fannee likes and dislikes.
- Quick tip 2Ask “How many ways…?”Ask “How many ways…?”
Gather different objects like beads, crayons, and buttons. Then ask, “How many ways can we make the number 10?” Take turns picking objects to show different combinations that equal 10 — like two beads, five crayons, and three buttons.
- Quick tip 3Play “Yes, and….”Play “Yes, and….”
One partner sets the scene with a statement like “It’s a cold day here in the mountains.” The next person adds on to it: “Yes, and I can’t seem to find my winter boots.” Go back and forth making “Yes, and…” statements until the story ends.
- Quick tip 4Pretend what objects can be.Pretend what objects can be.
Take a regular object and help kids see how many things they can pretend it is. For example, a funnel could be a party hat, a trumpet, and a unicorn horn. A whiteboard eraser could be a phone, a microphone, and a mustache.
Flexible thinking is a skill that lets kids look at situations in different ways and find solutions to new problems. For some kids, it comes naturally. But others need help building flexible thinking.
Strategy and logic games can help kids think about different ways to look at and solve problems and puzzles. Encourage kids to think out loud as they play. This helps them see options and strategies.
Try making up new rules for games, too. Start with simple switches in games kids know well, like Chutes and Ladders. Instead of climbing up the ladders and sliding down the chutes, agree to slide down the ladders and walk up the chutes.
Jokes and wordplay can also boost flexible thinking. Explain that words can have more than one meaning. Read books like Amelia Bedelia, whose main character takes everything literally. For example, when asked to “draw the curtains,” she draws a picture of them. Ask what she should have done instead.
Tell jokes that play with the meanings or sounds of words. Tell a joke like: “Why are fish so smart? Because they live in schools.” Explain how the punch line uses two meanings of the word school. Encourage kids to try, too.
Dive deeper
What inflexible thinking looks like
Inflexible or rigid thinkers have trouble seeing alternatives or doing things in a different order. They often get stuck on an activity or idea. And they probably don’t know why.
Here’s what trouble with flexible thinking can look like:
Not accepting other people’s ideas
Arguing the same point over and over
Getting upset when others don’t follow rules
Having trouble switching from one activity to another
Getting anxious when plans change, or frustrated when small things go wrong
Not following new schedules
Struggling to take on new, more complicated tasks
Repeating the same mistakes
Having trouble getting jokes
Explore a day in the life of a child who struggles with flexible thinking.
Next steps
Flexible thinking is part of a group of skills called . Thinking flexibly plays a key role in all types of learning, including “unlearning” old ways of doing things.
There are many ways to help kids build flexible thinking skills at home and at school. Families and teachers can share ideas and work together to help kids learn different ways to approach problems.
Get tips for helping kids cope when people have different views.
Explore board games that can help kids build key skills.