Here is a great approach that we can teach our children so they are better prepared for personal future challenges. Many times in my work with children I have experienced that they can cope better with challenges, if they are offered creative approaches to problem solving.
Recently I came across an interesting study from Ohio State University called 'Want to increase resiliency in kids? Teach creativity', where elementary school students were trained how to be creative to increase their resilience in the face of real-life problems. Researchers trained 3rd, 4th and 5th graders to use literary techniques such as perspective shifting, counterfactual thinking and casual thinking to improve creativity in dealing with problems. By using these techniques kids were able to come up with new creative ways to solve problems. The study found that through perspective shifting children get more creative and are able to come up with more effective possible solutions.
Source: Ohio State University. 'Want to increase resiliency in kids? Teach creativity.' ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 August 2023. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/08/230822111639.htm>.
by Angela Mischkulnig
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