SouthOfMetro|As a teacher, your primary goal is usually to keep the children healthy and safe, while teaching them cognitive, literacy and numeration skills. But apart from these important abilities, another key feature of a successful education is the constant use of creativity and imagination, as these skills are essential for forming a good learner and a critical thinker. If you want your students to grow up into successful adults, here are some ways you can encourage creativity in the classroom Encourage Creativity:
Create a question-encouraging environment
This classroom setting is all too common: a student repeatedly asks questions about the subject at hand, both the classmates and the teacher get irritated, and the student ends up getting cut off. And while it might be an easy way out of the situation, dissuading a child from asking questions only leads to withdrawn and introverted behavior, and a lack of motivation to learn and explore. Instead, help your students develop a habit of asking questions about certain ideas and topics that are usually taken for granted, reward such curious behavior, and promote an open environment in the classroom. Even though this practice might require more time for teaching, it will encourage your students to speak their mind, and help nurture their sense of wonder.
Opt for unconventional learning materials
When going through a traditional class time routine with nothing more than a pen, a paper and some slides on the screen, most children tend to lose interest quickly and divert their attention elsewhere. Instead of allowing your students to get bored, spark their imagination by bringing in some creativity into the classroom that will allow them to think outside the box. While you can always opt for compelling podcasts or interactive video sessions that will inspire children to think about a certain topic, a better idea might be to bring in some great educational toys that make learning a more fun experience. For example, when trying to explain the basics of geometry, you can try interesting 3D pens that will allow your students to visualize the concept and have a better and clearer understanding of it.
Assign more open-ended tasks and projects
When it comes to traditional tasks and projects, a student would usually be given a certain topic, strict guidelines and a set evaluating technique. However, the open-ended method will help children come up with more creative ideas and bring in more interesting and exciting work. Instead of following harsh guidelines, your students will have the opportunity to approach the assignment in a more imaginative way, resulting in excitement and a willingness to explore new subjects and ideas. Not only will this technique allow your students to express their individuality in a unique and interesting way, but it will also enhance their thinking capabilities, and help them feel proud and amazed at their own set of skills.
Promote creative thinking and storytelling
When a teacher tells a story, children tend to picture the characters and the storyline in their minds that are entirely designed by their imagination, which is exactly why this is such a great strategy to help get your students into a creative mental state. Try to include a few riveting stories into your weekly curriculum to promote curiosity in your students or even allow the children to come up with one short story a day. Instead of asking them to write their stories down, it would be a great idea to bring in some crayons, coloring pens or even play-doh and clay, to allow your students to express their stories through a series of pictures, and stimulate their creativity.
Children who are encouraged to ask questions and express their imagination early on tend to grow up into critical thinkers and successful adults. So, stimulate your students’ minds with a more creative classroom, and both you and the children will benefit from such a productive learning environment.
