How to Help Kids Develop Flexible Thinking

Life is full of surprises and unexpected turns. For kids, this could mean dealing with a canceled field trip due to bad weather or deciding how to share cookies with more friends than expected. Flexible thinking can help during these situations. It is a vital skill that allows children (and adults!) to adapt to unexpected changes and brainstorm creative solutions. After all, if there's one constant in life, it's change!

Here, we’ll share practical strategies to support kids’ flexible thinking so they are better equipped to figure out challenging experiences and problems.

What is Flexible Thinking?

Flexible thinking is the ability to think about things in new ways and consider other options. It helps us adjust our thinking and, in turn, our behavior to changing or unexpected circumstances.

Flexible thinking is one of the many executive functions that each individual possesses. Executive functions are mental processes and skills that give us social and emotional intelligence [*], and we use them daily to organize our lives and accomplish tasks. They allow us to make plans, remember information, set priorities, and, of course, think flexibly. Some other examples of executive functions include working memory, problem-solving, and goal setting.

Ultimately, flexible thinking helps us adapt to whatever situation we are faced with.

Why is Flexible Thinking Helpful?

Flexible thinking is helpful because it is an essential skill needed to navigate the many challenges we encounter in life, regardless of age. When children practice flexible thinking, they are more equipped to handle changes in interactions with their peers, classmates, and even the adults in their lives, such as teachers and parents. This skill allows them to consider different perspectives and be creative with solutions.

Without flexible thinking, kids may develop rigid or black-and-white thinking. This can make it difficult to socialize with different people, welcome new experiences, or adjust to unfamiliar environments. Flexible thinking allows them to keep up with an ever-changing world, from childhood years to adulthood.

How to Help Kids Think More Flexibly

Just like other essential cognitive functions, children can improve their flexible thinking by exercising their mental skills. Parents and teachers play a significant role in developing flexible thinking in children through various techniques and activities.

Here are a few ways to help kids think more flexibly:

Model flexible thinking

One of the ways children learn is by observing adults around them, particularly their parents, caregivers, and teachers. This makes modeling a great way to teach kids flexible thinking. Try solving a problem and speaking aloud at the same time to let your child hear you process it. For example, you might start a coloring activity and realize you don’t have all the colors you need. Let your child hear you deal with the problem flexibly by saying something like, “Oh no, I’m missing some crayons. I can use my colored pencils for the missing colors instead!”

When children see adults solving the problem proactively instead of focusing on what’s going wrong, they learn to do the same.

Create a safe space for change

Flexible thinking includes experimenting with new ideas, taking risks, and being open to failure. In order for children to feel comfortable doing those things, we need to create a safe space for them. Kids who feel secure and supported can explore various perspectives and try different solutions without the fear of judgment or negative consequences looming over them. Having this psychological safety net empowers them to think more flexibly and try new things to reach their goals.

Play flexible thinking games

It’s important to show kids that there are multiple ways to approach or solve a particular problem. Playing flexible thinking games encourages them to think outside the box and take different courses of action to reach the intended objective. Experiment with board games that promote flexible thinking, such as chess and checkers. Other games like Sudoku can also help.

Encourage problem solving with multiple solutions

Things don’t often go as planned, so equipping children with the ability to solve problems with multiple solutions is crucial. Teach children how to be creative with solutions rather than getting stuck on the problem so they can think more flexibly. Being able to pivot and explore other options is a strong predictor of resilience and achievement in children [*]. Try resisting the urge to help or “rescue” your child from problems they are initially unable to solve. Instead, ask them how they think they can solve the problem from a different angle. This can help them brainstorm other approaches. Showing your kids that there is hope and that things can work out with a Plan B helps reduce anxiety when their first attempt fails, boosting confidence in their ability to figure things out as they go along.

Practice role play and perspective-taking

Role-playing and perspective-taking can help kids step outside their viewpoints and imagine things from another perspective. Not only does this encourage learning different ways to interpret and respond to the same event, but it also teaches empathy. This is a process that helps kids challenge their initial assumptions and develop the mental agility to adapt thinking and behaviors as the scenario changes.

Consider allowing children to participate in theatrical experiences (like school plays and class presentations) or creating similar activities to improve their role-playing and perspective-taking. Studies have shown that it encourages more imaginative play, creative problem solving, and emotional expression, allowing children to explore imaginary scenarios and developing flexible and original thinking [*].

Praise flexibility

Praising and rewarding kids for flexible thinking is a powerful way to promote this valuable skill. When you see a child adapting to a situation, whether they consider a different point of view or adjust to an unexpected change, make sure to acknowledge it. Even a simple compliment can go a long way in validating their effort and encouraging similar responses in the future. You can say something like, “It was great how you thought of another way to solve the puzzle!”

The Bottom Line

We hope these strategies have provided a clearer picture on what flexible thinking is and how it can be nurtured in children. At the end of the day, this skill helps children develop into adaptable and confident individuals. Parents and teachers play a significant role in this endeavor. By equipping kids with the knowledge and skills necessary to handle life’s twists and turns, we are building their resilience and creativity and allowing them to thrive in a constantly changing world.

For other resources on how to improve your child’s flexible thinking skills, check out our flexible thinking strategies for kids handout.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes rigid thinking in kids?

Several factors may contribute to rigid thinking in kids. One is anxiety, which stems from a child’s need for predictability and control, especially when faced with uncertainty. Some conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), are characterized by rigid thinking patterns and repetitive behaviors. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also present with difficulties in flexibility and lead to rigid thinking in children.

What are the signs my child needs help with flexible thinking?

Children who struggle with flexible thinking experience an inability to see things from different angles or use different approaches to solve problems. Some signs your child needs help with flexible thinking include (but are not limited to):

• Getting frustrated when small things go wrong
  
• Anxiety over changed plans
  
• Rejecting other people’s ideas
  
• Fixating on the problem instead of finding solutions
  
• Difficulty adapting to new schedules
  
• Struggling to take on new tasks

At what age can kids learn flexible thinking?

Signs of flexible thinking emerge in infancy [*] but become more evident as children grow older. As children develop, we observe how they adjust to things like the changing rules of a game or the differing perspectives of their peers. Cognitive flexibility “increases throughout childhood and into adulthood, and declines in older age [*].”

References:

1. Science Direct. Executive Functions. 2013.
2. Nakhostin-Khayyat M, Borjali M, Zeinali M, et al. The relationship between self-regulation, cognitive flexibility, and resilience among students: a structural equation modeling. 7 June 2024.
3. Rowe M, Salo V, Rubin K. Do theatrical experiences improve preschoolers’ pretend play and cooperation? January 2018.
4. University of North Carolina Health Care. Scientists show how brain flexibility emerges in infants. 31 August 2020.
5. Kupis L, Goodman Z, Kornfield S, et al. Brain Dynamics Underlying Cognitive Flexibility Across the Lifespan. 18 June 2021.