We are obsessed by by logical and critical thinking and our education are also meant to develop them. Our course structure are made to develop logical and critical to take the challenges of stiff competition to face.
But it is no denying the fact that creative thinking has its own space and importance and may cross the limitation of competition that we face. That will create new opportunities and abilities to do differently.
So now the question arises that how do we create creating thinking abilities within children. Obviously, children are future of the country. This can be developed same time it is being done for logical and critical thinking. One way to do it by changing course structure in schools which may take time to implement the structural changes. Other way, I feel the simple way to ask 'right questions' to children in regular intervals of time. Right question means it intended to answers with thinking. Answer may not have wrong and right answers. Once we free from restrictions on answering those questions, their ability to thinking creative juice will start flowing. Initially it may take time and more importantly, patience to listen to the answers. May be somestimes, they may answer wiered but we need keep the listening encouraging them to think and speak. In such exercise, parents need to be encouraging and guiding to think and answers.
Just to illustrate the above point I cite here an example. Yesterday we had attended a wedding reception from my wife's colleague. We met with a lot of her colleagues and obviously with bride and bridegroom and wished them and parted gift to them. We enjoyed sumptuous dinner at Taj Hotel. Our children also enjoyed it. What we noticed that younger one also followed the observation and took plate and started eating by himself on the table. Normally, we used to feed them.
Next day, we asked our elder son, Satwik who is nine year old studying in class four. We asked him what did he observed in last night party? He didnt understood the point. We again elaborated, what are good and bad things you find at the party? How did you recognise bride and bridegroom?
We have one and two minutes time for think and answer it. He replied that good thing that in party it is place of meeting their friends, party has good food. Bad things about party that he observed that many of plates eaten by people out there were found to be leftover. Initially they filled the full which they found difficulty to finish it of. This is not good for our country.
He further answer that he could recognise bride and groom found to be on stage with nice attire looks like some film starts. We further elaborated him how to be observant as well in this context.
Few days back I asked what we should for reducing pollution? What should children do individual, home and country?
I think this is easiest way to develop their creative mind. It may take sometime to nurture those minds but once it is engineered and fueld rightly it will flew in the sky with high speed and scale like a rocket.
KK
