Moorelands Kids believes that everyone can be a leader when empowered with the right skills! Being a creative problem solver every day is key for dealing with difficult situations in the personal and professional space.
What is Creative Problem-solving?
- The ability to identify and utilize creative and/or unique solutions to solve problems
- Offering a non-conventional perspective to implement solutions
- Innovation and imagination
IDENTIFY PROBLEM
Often what is presented or perceived as a problem, really isn’t the real issue at all. In fact, this is common when working with children and youth. Child and Youth Care Practitioners identify that an outburst from children can be related to their inability to identify their feelings and experience safety in an environment.
By identifying what the *real* problem is, you begin to think outside the box!
GATHER to PROBLEM-SOLVE
To be a creative problem solver, you have to gather information about the problem. Doing research clarifies and narrows down what the problem is beyond your first impression. Specifically, research narrows down the 5 W’s (Who, what, where, when and why), illustrates the type of problem and provides various avenues of creativity.
QUESTION the PROBLEM
In addition to research, you should narrow down your solution. Ask yourself, “Why is this a problem and why does it need to be solved”? Consistently questioning everything encourages you to think of solutions that aren’t so obvious.
Just as young children question everything, you should model your every day problem-solving the same way. After all, children and youth often offer ideas and solutions that others don’t normally think of.
IMAGINATION
The most essential tool to being a creative problem-solver is your imagination!
Think of ways you can reverse the problem and brainstorm solutions that seem silly. Using your imagination is not restricted to pen and paper. At any time, you can take a walk, listen to some music or do some exercise.
IMPLEMENT
Implementing your creative solutions is both the simplest and yet scariest solution. To begin, write a plan or draw a map. In this process, you can execute your solution making adjustments along the way and finding the resources you need.
To be a creative problem-solver, every day you have to just do it!
PRACTICE CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING
Practice, practice and practice!
Being a creative problem solver requires you to get familiar with the process and apply each step to challenges big or small. It may be the lack of space in your room, technological failures or failure to communicate in your intrapersonal relationships.
Practice makes perfect!
Moorelands Kids believes in you! With these tools, we believe that you can be a creative problem solver and feel empowered in your leadership. Remember to embrace your imagination and practice, practice, practice!
by Angel Persaud
More Problem-Solving Tips for parents and kids!
Developing creative problem-solving skills is for everyone, parents and kids included!
