(The forthcoming book: From the Principal’s Desk – A Journey of Lessons)
Dr. Arun Prakash
Over the years, I’ve been privileged to witness children surprise me with their creativity and depth of thought. Whether in classrooms, during nature walks, or even with something as mundane as a paperclip, these moments have taught me a simple truth: deep thinking isn’t innate—it’s nurtured. It begins with curiosity, flourishes through meaningful questions, and thrives in an environment where mistakes are celebrated as steps to understanding.
Let me share some of these moments—stories that illustrate how everyday interactions can inspire profound thought in children. These aren’t grand lessons but small, intentional efforts to plant the seeds of critical and creative thinking.
The “What If” Game
On a rainy afternoon in Guwahati, I found a group of fifth-graders staring out the classroom window at dark clouds. Their teacher was about to start the lesson, but I couldn’t resist stepping in. “What are you all looking at?” I asked.
“The clouds, Sir!” Aarav replied. “They’re so dark. It’s going to pour!”
“What if clouds weren’t made of water vapor?” I asked. “What do you think they’d be made of instead?”
The students exchanged puzzled glances before Priya piped up. “Cotton! They look like cotton balls.”
“Interesting,” I said. “And what would happen if it rained cotton?”
The answers came quickly. “Rivers would get blocked!” Aarav exclaimed. “Plants wouldn’t get water!” added Meera. “We’d need machines to turn cotton into water!” Priya concluded.
I pushed further, “If rivers dried up, how else could we get water?”
Their imaginations took flight. They talked about desalination, rainwater harvesting, and even futuristic machines to collect water from cotton. The conversation evolved into problem-solving, with the students thinking through the consequences of their ideas.
This simple “what if” game transformed their curiosity into a collaborative exercise in thinking. At home, you can spark similar moments by asking playful questions like, “What if humans could fly? How would cities look different?” or “What if animals could talk? What laws might we need?” Encourage your child to explore and build on their answers. It’s not about finding the “right” answer—it’s about the process of imagining and reasoning.
Problem-Solving in Action
In Bhubaneswar, a missing chair in a classroom turned into an unexpected lesson. The teacher noticed the empty spot and asked, “What should we do?”
Rohit suggested, “Someone could sit on the floor.” The teacher nodded but asked, “Would it be fair for one person to sit on the floor the whole day?”
Kavya added, “We could take turns being the helper so no one has to sit all the time.” The students decided to vote for a rotating helper role, ensuring fairness. The class transformed a small problem into an exercise in collaboration and decision-making.
Later, I asked the teacher, “Why didn’t you just get another chair?”
She smiled. “Because the solution wasn’t the point—the process was.”
At home, these moments are everywhere. When a toy breaks or there’s only one slice of cake left, instead of solving the issue yourself, ask your child, “What do you think we could do?” Give them the space to brainstorm, test ideas, and reflect on what worked. Problem-solving isn’t just about fixing—it’s about thinking critically and acting fairly.
Explaining Like You’re 5
At a science fair in Dhaligaon, I met Tanya, a shy girl presenting her solar system model. She nervously used words like “elliptical orbit” and “gravitational force,” losing her audience. Her teacher stepped in and said, “Imagine you’re explaining this to your younger brother. How would you say it?”
Tanya hesitated, then said, “The Sun is like the boss, and Earth runs around it like a child playing catch.” The audience smiled, and Tanya’s confidence grew.
This exercise of simplifying ideas is a powerful way to deepen understanding. At home, when your child learns something new, ask, “How would you explain this to your little cousin?” For example:
- “How would you explain fractions using pizza slices?”
- “How would you describe photosynthesis like it’s a story?”
When children try to teach what they’ve learned, they clarify their own understanding—and often delight you with their creativity.
The Power of Hands-On Learning
Ishaan, a student in Bilaspur, built a wind turbine after experiencing a blackout. “It didn’t work at first,” he admitted. “I had to adjust the blades three times before it spun properly.”
His persistence turned frustration into pride. The turbine wasn’t just a school project—it was a lesson in resilience, experimentation, and problem-solving.
At home, hands-on activities can provide similar lessons. Simple tasks like baking, gardening, or assembling furniture teach children to connect abstract concepts to real-world applications. For example:
- Baking cookies teaches measurement (math) and chemical reactions (science).
- Building a birdhouse introduces engineering and design.
- Planting seeds helps children observe growth, patience, and responsibility.
When mistakes happen, resist the urge to step in immediately. Instead, ask, “What could we try next?” These moments of trial and error are where the real learning happens.
Books That Spark Questions
Omar, a quiet boy in Jeddah, puzzled over The Little Prince. “Why don’t grown-ups see the snake in the drawing?” he asked. As we discussed the story’s themes of imagination and perspective, Omar realized the book was asking readers to see the world with curiosity, like a child.
Books open doors to reflection. At home, encourage your child to think about what they read. Ask:
- “What would you do in the character’s place?”
- “Why do you think the character made that choice?”
- “What’s one lesson you took away from the story?”
One parent told me her daughter, Riya, became more empathetic after reading Wonder by R.J. Palacio. “She keeps talking about Auggie’s struggles and how she’d treat him if he were her friend,” the mother shared. Stories like these help children explore ethics, relationships, and emotions in a safe, imaginative space.
Seeing the World A New
On a nature walk in Korba, I stopped near a marigold plant and asked the students, “What do you see?”
“The petals are orange,” Neha said. “And the leaves have tiny teeth,” added Rohit. Another student sniffed the flower and said, “It smells like medicine!”
I explained how the smell protected the plant from insects, and their curiosity grew. They began noticing the patterns in spider webs, the way ants marched, and the textures of tree bark. Observation teaches children to slow down, notice details, and ask “why” and “how.”
On your next walk, encourage your child to look closely at their surroundings. Ask questions like, “What shapes do you see in the clouds?” or “Why do birds sit on wires instead of the ground?” You’ll be amazed at what they discover.
Thinking Outside the Box
During a rainy day in Ghaziabad, a teacher handed students a paperclip and asked, “What else can you do with this?”
The answers ranged from “holding papers” to “making a fishing hook.” One student said, “You could bend it into a star to decorate a gift.” Another added, “You could use it to unlock a door!”
At home, encourage similar creative exercises. Ask, “What else could this spoon be used for?” or “How many ways can you use this cardboard box?” These exercises teach children to see possibilities in the simplest things.
Looking back on these stories, I see a common thread: deep thinking begins with small seeds—a question, a challenge, or a moment of wonder. It thrives in the every day, in playful “what if” games, collaborative problem-solving, or noticing the intricate beauty of a marigold.
Parents and educators, your role isn’t to give answers but to ask questions that inspire curiosity. These small moments, like turning a missing chair into a fair system or reimagining the uses of a paperclip, help children see the world in new ways.
So, what will you spark in your child today?
Next: Technology and Learning: Striking the Right Balance: How much screen time is too much?
