Thought Flexibility Can Be a Pathway to Success
Hello Parents,
Some of the most consistently studious school-age students find themselves struggling later in their academic lives. This may be because grades K through 12 often emphasize absorption and application of content rather than what could be called “flexibility of thought”. Once high achievers get to college, they may find that the parameters of their thinking are too narrow, that there is not a “right” answer they can simply locate. They often discover that professors look for evidence of a certain process or synthesis of information rather than a concrete answer that remedies a quandary.
Thought flexibility enables a person to consider beyond their own experience, and incorporate other ideas outside what they personally would advocate. Being flexible doesn’t indicate agreement, but it does enable a person to better understand how ideas coexist. This makes extrapolation and manipulation of ideas easier. It also helps a person solidify his own observations and beliefs.
Elementary school students enjoy being creative, and flexible thinking requires creativity. It is important that creativity be fostered beyond a student’s artistic pursuits and cross over into academics. Practice in critical thinking, logic games, and wordplay through creative writing not only fosters a sense of fun, but also builds students’ thought flexibility. Take the time to share insights, jokes, and favorite activities, (sports, music, cooking, magic tricks, etc.) with your child. This will further their ability to see connections between ideas and concepts; it will help them think with flexibility.
Flexibility in one’s thinking is easier to develop if it comes into play before a person is thrust into the work world as we know it. Those who can consider a variety of possibilities (and manage their thoughts, workload, and investigation of said possibilities) and their potential outcomes will find themselves more sure of their ideas and abilities. This is good because it enables a person to be possibility-minded, empowered, and more able to handle stress. Having confidence in one’s thinking will foster a surer transition into future situations which require collaboration and interdependent problem solving.
Sincerely,
Alex McGill
Hello Parents,
Some of the most consistently studious school-age students find themselves struggling later in their academic lives. This may be because grades K through 12 often emphasize absorption and application of content rather than what could be called “flexibility of thought”. Once high achievers get to college, they may find that the parameters of their thinking are too narrow, that there is not a “right” answer they can simply locate. They often discover that professors look for evidence of a certain process or synthesis of information rather than a concrete answer that remedies a quandary.
Thought flexibility enables a person to consider beyond their own experience, and incorporate other ideas outside what they personally would advocate. Being flexible doesn’t indicate agreement, but it does enable a person to better understand how ideas coexist. This makes extrapolation and manipulation of ideas easier. It also helps a person solidify his own observations and beliefs.
Elementary school students enjoy being creative, and flexible thinking requires creativity. It is important that creativity be fostered beyond a student’s artistic pursuits and cross over into academics. Practice in critical thinking, logic games, and wordplay through creative writing not only fosters a sense of fun, but also builds students’ thought flexibility. Take the time to share insights, jokes, and favorite activities, (sports, music, cooking, magic tricks, etc.) with your child. This will further their ability to see connections between ideas and concepts; it will help them think with flexibility.
Flexibility in one’s thinking is easier to develop if it comes into play before a person is thrust into the work world as we know it. Those who can consider a variety of possibilities (and manage their thoughts, workload, and investigation of said possibilities) and their potential outcomes will find themselves more sure of their ideas and abilities. This is good because it enables a person to be possibility-minded, empowered, and more able to handle stress. Having confidence in one’s thinking will foster a surer transition into future situations which require collaboration and interdependent problem solving.
Sincerely,
Alex McGill
