How do you teach a child to brainstorm?
Brainstorming is a way to come up with ideas for any kind of project, from art to history. Before you start any of these creative brainstorming activities, set some ground rules. The dance of finding out about the world
Four to eight-year-olds can use an educational dance to get their minds going. It makes them excited and draws the attention of people who see it. In a two-minute, upbeat song, children learn how to brainstorm and why it is important.
What You’ll need for brainstorm
It was the Imagination Movers’ song brainstorming that came up with this idea.
- A pencil and a paper
- A lot of room
Directions
In the beginning, start by playing some music and getting the kids to move around the room.
- As they dance, children should think about what they want to do and, if necessary, write them down.
- Watching other people dance in a group may also give you ideas.
This is a cheat sheet for the Collective.
Six- and seven-year-olds can play this game with a friend of any size, but they can also do it on their own.
What You’ll need
- One piece of lined paper
- As well as Pencil
- A timer
Directions
- This is how you start: Write down your assignment or topic on an empty, lined piece of paper.
- Timer each child for at least one minute.
- The first child comes up with an idea on a piece of paper and gives it to the one on their left.
- Paper is passed around after each child has written one thought.
- Give each child a copy of the thought list
Asked in a Hurry:
What do you do when you have kids who are older, between the ages of eight and ten, in charge? In a book report, ask questions about the narrative, characters, setting, or themes. Then, let the kids choose a report topic from their list of answers, and write about that one. Who is your favorite character? Or have you ever been as brave as Sophie? These are some of the questions you might ask if the book is The BFG by Roald Dahl.
What You’ll need for brainstorm
- One lined piece of paper for each child.
- As well as Pencil
Who, what, where, when, why, and how are some of the question terms on this list. Which, whose, and are some of the other words on this list, as are do, have, and can.
Directions
- On the left side of a piece of paper, each child writes one basic question word on each line.
- When they say “Go,” ask them a question that starts with each word on their paper. Then have them write down the first answer that comes to mind.
- Allow only a few seconds between each question for students to write their answers down.
Brainstorming timetable
Children who can write on their own can use logic and sticky notes to make a brainstorming timeline.
What You’ll need
- Each child should have a stack of sticky notes.
- As well as Pencil
Long table or board, like a dry erase board in a classroom.
Directions
- Children write down each step of a process that is linked to the topic on a sticky note. If you’re writing a persuasive essay about why pizza should be served more often in school cafeterias, talk about how an item gets on the lunch menu.
It doesn’t matter how you do this step. You can put them in any order you want.
Three: Put the sticky notes in a logical order based on when they were written down.
Grabbery is absurd.
High-energy brainstorming sessions with kids ages seven and up are best for this high-energy game. The goal is to get as many objects as possible. When the timer goes off, kids should go through their things and think about why they chose each one in order to come up with new ideas.
What You’ll need
- One piece of paper
- As well as Pencil
- A timer
- Optional: books, magazines, newspapers, toys, games, photographs, artwork, keepsakes, clothes, and pantry essentials can make a room look better.
Directions
- It’s important to write down what you’re going to talk about in a big font on a piece of paper. Place it in the middle of a room, on the floor.
- Set a one- or two-minute timer to start.
3. Children run around the room when the timer goes off. They grab things that have words, images, or uses that are related to their topic when the timer goes off.
4. Children put each thing on paper in the middle of the room.
A few simple brainstorming exercises.
There are many well-known ways and exercises for brainstorming that work well for a wide range of different types of learners.
- Concept Mapping is writing down the main idea or topic inside a big circle on a piece of paper and then surrounding it with smaller circles that show your thoughts around the big circle, too.
As you think of ideas, write them down as they come to you.
- Children who are more visual can come up with ideas for their projects by drawing pictures of what they want to do.
- Freewriting is a way for kids to come up with ideas that aren’t stressful. They write down everything that comes to mind.
Turn on your creativity.
Participating in mind-opening exercises helps children choose a subject or focus for educational and creative projects. After the brainstorming session is over, children can look at all of their ideas and choose the one that is best for the task at hand.
