What is Meant By Flexible Thinking?
Flexible thinking refers to a child or teens ability to adjust to thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes in response to new information or changing circumstances. It involves being open-minded and adaptable, rather than rigid or set in one's ways. Flexible thinking is actually a very important skill that impacts a child or teens ability to problem solve, maintain friendships, and move through emotions. Flexible thinking can impact all children and teens, though individuals with ASD, ADHD, OCD, and Anxiety often struggle in this area.
Children and teens with flexible thinking skills are able to see multiple perspectives and consider various possibilities. They are able to change their approach when necessary. Children and teens with flexility are less likely to become stuck in a particular way of thinking and are better able to find creative solutions to problems.
Flexible thinking is a very important skill and impacts many areas of life, including relationships, problem-solving skills, decision-making abilities, and adapting to change. It can also be particularly valuable in social environments, where being able to adapt to change is essential for creating and maintaining relationships.
There are various ways to help a child or teen develop flexible thinking, including:
1. Supporting a child or teen to practice mindfulness and being present in the moment. 2. Supporting a child or teen to safely challenge assumptions and biases. 3. Helping a child or teen to engage in diverse experiences and perspectives. 4. Discussing how your child or teen can learn from failures and setbacks. 5. Supporting your child or teen to embrace change and uncertainty. 6. Helping your child or teen to try new things and take calculated risks.
Supporting flexible thinking in children can help them develop the skills they need to be successful in school, in their friendships, and in their future careers. Here are some ways to support flexible thinking in children:
1. Encourage them to ask questions: Encourage children to ask questions and to be curious about the world around them. This helps them to develop a growth mindset and to see that there is always more to learn. 2. Model flexible thinking: Children learn from the adults in their lives, so modeling flexible thinking yourself can help them develop this skill. Show them how to change their approach when faced with a new challenge or when something doesn't work out as planned. 3. Encourage exploration and play: Play is an important way for children to develop their creativity and imagination. Encourage them to try new things and to experiment with different approaches to problems. 4. Promote critical thinking: Encourage children to think critically and to consider different perspectives. Teach them how to analyze information and make informed decisions. 5. Foster a growth mindset: Teach children that they can grow and develop their abilities through effort and perseverance. Encourage them to embrace challenges and to see failures as opportunities to learn and grow. 6. Provide opportunities for creative expression: Encourage children to express themselves through art, music, or other creative outlets. This can help them develop their imagination and creativity, as well as their problem-solving skills. 7. Promote collaboration: Encourage children to work with others and to see the value in different perspectives and approaches. This can help them develop their social skills and to become more flexible in their thinking. 8. Encourage self-reflection: Teach children to reflect on their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This can help them to understand themselves better and to develop the ability to adjust their thinking when necessary.
How does Creative Sky Support Flexible Thinking in Children and Teens?
Flexible thinking is an important tool for children and teens to learn in order to gain insight, grow, and have successful relationships. We support children to gain flexible thinking by encouraging the concepts in a safe and engaging manner. Young children benefit from flexible play. At Creative Sky Psychology, we use the concepts of Floortime to engage with children where they are at. From here we build and incorporate our ideas into play and art to support reciprocity and flexibility in an engaging environment so children learn the concepts while having fun. This supports the teaching of flexibility and enables children to practice first in a safe environment, then with other children. We also support teens to learn flexible thinking and actions. With teens, it is helpful to discuss the concepts and the benefits of learning flexible thought. Teens who learn the benefits of flexible thought and action are able to manage many areas of life with more fluidity and success.
Creative Sky Psychology is located in Calgary, AB. If you feel your child or teen would benefit from flexible thinking please visit www.creativeskypsychology for additional information.
