There are some people who question what flexible thinking is. Well, this in simple words is the ability to switch gears quickly and come up with new approaches to solve problems.  Flexible thinking is however not a feature of many people.

There are those kids with thinking and learning differences who struggle with proper thinking abilities. This is a major concern since flexible thinking plays a bigger role in kids’ ability to learn. Other than that, it also helps the kids in adapting to new information.

There are ways kids can use flexible thinking. Below we are going to look at ten of the best ways kids can use flexible thinking. These ways will be able to benefit your kids in learning and some other ways.

1. Flexible thinking and real-life learning

Doctors and researchers have come up with a way of describing the ability to think about things differently. According to doctors and other researchers, this is known as cognitive flexibility. Cognitive flexibility mainly works in two ways which are set-shifting and flexible thinking.

Flexible thinking refers to that process where kids are able to think about something in a new way. Shift thinking on the other side means the ability of kids to abandon the old way of ways of doing things. The kids do this so as to accommodate or embrace the new ways of doing this.

However, it is important to know that those kids who are rigid in thinking always have problems. One of the problems such kids have is being able to shift from the ancient way of doing things. If you have a child who has problems with right thinking then they may have a problem taking on new tasks.

This will become evident when they grow up or later in their lives. There are those things that involve decision-making that your kids will not be able to do well.

2. Flexible reading and thinking

Analytical thinking is so essential for kids as they use it in both learnings to read and vice versa. In the beginning, the kids begin to understand how some same letter combinations make different sounds. This skill is also so essential as it helps in understanding how some words can be used in more than just one way.

For instance, kids with accurate thinking will be able to understand how to use the words slip and peel. They will be able to know how to use these two words differently or even in some cases in the same sentence. Once the kids start reading, they will be able to use flexible thinking in determining the right information.

If the story the kids are reading has some characters flexible thinking will help them understand these characters. If kids make good use of flexible thinking then they will have an easy time understanding idioms. If your child is rigid in thinking then she will have a problem identifying the right pronunciation for some words.

3. Flexible writing and thinking

Most kids find writing such a complicated thing to do. During this process, the kids have to organize their thoughts as well as choose the right words to form sentences. These kids also have to bring in supporting details while at the same time focusing on the main idea.

Other than that, the kids have to check for some of the most common grammar and spelling mistakes. To make all these possible the kids have to make use of flexible thinking.  As we have said repeatedly those kids who are rigid thinkers will have a problem doing all these things.

In most cases, you will find that those kids that are not able to think flexibly may not have enough supporting ideas. In most cases, such kids will come up with sentences that have issues with grammar.

4. Language learning and flexible thinking

Proper thinking is simply a skill that kids utilize in learning the rules of the language. For instance, this skill helps the kids to know why it is important to put ed at the end of any sentence. The kids will be able to know that this is done to make any tense past.

When it comes to learning foreign languages, flexible thinking is so essential. In foreign languages, letters can have different sounds compared to the home languages.

Read more: Phonological Awareness: What You Need To Know

5. Math and flexible thinking

Flexible thinking is a very essential and key skill in mathematics. Many kids make use of flexible thinking in finding ways to solve mathematical problems. The main use of analytical thinking in math is to make kids aware of the many ways of solving mathematical problems.

With this skill, the kids are able to tell how a new problem can be solved with the use of an existing formula. Without flexible thinking, your kids will struggle a lot with math.

6. Flexible thinking and studying

In some cases, doing your homework is one skill that requires flexible thinking as well. Being able to switch from one subject to the other is one thing that requires some flexible thinking. Without understanding the concepts, the kids might find themselves struggling to transition to some subjects.

7. Flexible thinking and sports

You might be wondering how riverside thinking plays a part in sports. The truth and the fact of the matter are that it does. There are some sports like chess that require some flexible thinking. If kids do not have this skill then they will make bad sportsmen in such sports.

8. Flexible thinking and reading

It might look like an easy thing but kids never have it easy reading. However, those kids with out-of-the-box thinking capabilities always have it easy with this process. Such kids are always able to recognize some common words on time which makes it easy for them to read.

9. Flexible thinking and creative writing

Creative writing is another thing that heavily relies on flexible thinking. This skill helps kids to think out of the box and bring out ideas that are not common. In fact, through writing, you can be able to judge the flexible thinking if any kid in different ways.

Those kids who struggle with analytical thinking will never be able to come up with any creative content. On the other hand, those who are flexible thinkers always come with the best and quality content.

10. Flexible thinking and ability to remember

Those kids with proper thinking ability are able to remember things more easily. In fact, they can not only do that but can also relate them to situations in their lives. Such kids will form future problem solvers and are so good in academics.

Conclusion

Flexible thinking is so essential in kids. The ways listed above are some of the ways by which kids can use flexible thinking. This is one versatile tool that every kid must have for them to succeed in academics.

Read Also:

• Types Of Dyslexia: Why And What Researchers Are Studying
• What Is A Functional Behavioral Assessment?

View: Critical Thinking Skills for Kids | Ways to Enhance Critical Thinking in Kids