Amid concerns about children’s resilience in the wake of COVID-19, a recent study, explored a novel approach: creativity training. This small-scale study aimed to equip elementary school students with creative problem-solving skills to better tackle real-life issues.
Creativity Training for Kids
The study introduced children to literary techniques like perspective shifting, counter-factual (what if) thinking, and causal (why) thinking. These techniques, typically associated with literature and the arts, can also empower kids to navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience.
The Impact of Perspective Shifting
One key technique employed was perspective shifting. Kids were encouraged to imagine a “creative friend” helping them solve problems. This shift in perspective often leads to more creative and effective solutions, as proven by the study.
Study 1: Perspective-Shifting in Action
In the first study, students were divided into control and creative groups. Those in the creative group considered a “creative friend” while addressing problems. The results were impressive—94% of the creative group provided solutions to both age-typical and personal problems, compared to the control group.
Creativity training not only enhances creativity but also boosts children’s self-efficacy. They become more proactive in addressing challenges instead of giving up or resorting to magical thinking, as observed in the control group.
Study 2: A Comprehensive Creativity Curriculum
The second part of the study involved a comprehensive narrative creativity curriculum. Students learned various creativity techniques, including causal thinking, which encourages understanding the “why” behind a problem.
Upon completing the curriculum, students faced age-typical and personal problems with an unexpected twist—being told their initial solutions wouldn’t work. Remarkably, every student provided a second solution, demonstrating resilience and creativity.
The study emphasizes the role of creativity in education. Teachers can use literature and theater to nurture creativity by encouraging different perspectives and what-if thinking.
Conclusion: Fostering Resilience through Creativity
In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of creativity training to enhance resilience in children. By equipping them with creative problem-solving skills, we empower kids to navigate life’s complexities more effectively. This research underscores the importance of fostering creativity in education, preparing children to face real-world challenges with resilience and confidence.
