• Emphasize process rather than product.
• Provide a classroom environment that allows children to explore and play without undue restraints.
• Adapt to children's ideas rather than trying to structure the children's ideas to fit the adult's.
• Accept unusual ideas from children by suspending judgement of children's divergent problem solving.
• Use creative problem solving in all parts of the curriculum. Use the problems that naturally occur in everyday life.
• Allow time for children to explore all possibilities, moving from popular to more original ideas.
Sparking creativity is enjoyable and easy through common classroom activities. For example, go for a slow walk with your children outdoors and notice the world at hand. Talk about the many colors and precious details of nature. Come back to the classroom and give the children crayons, chalk, or paints to express what they remember seeing. On another day, take drawing materials along with you to a park or out into the schoolyard. Encourage the children to notice something that they might have overlooked before. Drawing is an excellent way for children to see in detail. The creative benefits are immense, and you will have fun, too.