One Shape, Ten Ideas: Divergent Thinking for Kids
Divergent thinking means finding many answers to one question. Turning one shape into many drawings is the perfect workout. Try it with your kids.
Divergent thinking is the ability to come up with many different ideas from one starting point. Drawing one shape in lots of different ways is a perfect divergent-thinking exercise: a circle can become a sun, a pizza, a face, a ball or a planet. The more ideas, the stronger the creative muscle.
Most school tasks ask kids for one right answer. That is convergent thinking. Divergent thinking is the opposite: many possible answers, all valid. It is a key part of creativity and problem solving.
The circle test
Draw ten circles on a page. Ask your child to turn each one into something different. Time it for three minutes. Count the ideas. Then try again another day and see if the number grows. That is divergent thinking practice.
One shape, many ideas
Shape Drawing Challenge is built entirely around divergent thinking. Each page starts with one shape and a grid of boxes, and kids turn the same shape into a different character in every box. By the end of a page, they have pushed past the obvious ideas into really creative territory.
Why the later ideas are better
The first few ideas are usually the obvious ones. A circle becomes a sun, a ball, a face. The interesting ideas come after: a circle becomes a donut-shaped spaceship, a bubble with a fish inside, the top view of a hat. Encourage kids to keep going past the easy answers.
Divergent thinking games
- Unusual uses. How many things could a paper clip be used for? Draw them.
- Squiggle swap. Draw a random squiggle; everyone turns it into something different.
- Same character, different jobs. Draw one monster as a chef, astronaut and teacher.
- What else could it be? Look at clouds, stains or shadows and draw what you see.
Celebrate quantity
In divergent thinking, quantity leads to quality. Do not judge ideas while they are being generated. Count them, laugh at them, and save judgement for later. For more, see one shape, ten ideas.
Questions parents ask
What is divergent thinking?
Divergent thinking is generating many different ideas or solutions from one starting point. It is a core part of creativity.
How can kids practise divergent thinking?
Activities like turning one shape into many drawings, brainstorming unusual uses for objects and squiggle games build divergent thinking.
Why is divergent thinking important?
It helps children solve problems creatively, adapt to new situations and come up with original ideas.
More in creativity and imagination, or browse all 217 posts on the blog.
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