Of all the things that we think about giving our children, the ability to think bigger is not one that most people say. Yet there’s a lot of value in doing so. For one thing, the person that thinks big tends to dream big — and if you can do that, then you’ll have a pretty exciting future ahead of you because you won’t know where those dreams will take you. Plus, there’s a lot to be said for thinking bigger as a way to get perspective.
Some people are naturally big thinkers. For others, it’s a process. You can guide your child in the right direction by taking the following tips on board.
Creative Exercises
If you’re thinking creativity, then you’re thinking big. The two go hand in hand — you have to imagine things that aren’t there, after all, and that’s something that big minds will always do. It’s best to think of creativity not as something that you have but as something that you do. If you can ensure that your children never go too long without engaging in a creative exercise, then you’ll be pushing them along the right path.
Learn About Nature
Nature is an excellent source of big thinking. Who hasn’t thought big when they’re staring at a starry night sky, for instance? The other thing about nature is that it prompts you to think about things that you very rarely come across in your normal, day to day life. If you learn about exotic birds, how spiders make their homes, or about the northern lights, then you’ll begin to realize just how big and awesome this planet really is. These types of things can invoke a sense of wonder that will never really go away once it has been unleashed. So make sure your kids get their full dose of nature by going on hikes, visiting museums, and so on.
Ask Questions
You’ll be trying to get your children to think big. But you can’t walk them there — they have to get there themselves. One useful strategy for doing this is to ask questions. If you ask them to think about what life may have been like in the 1500s, you’ll be getting them to project their mind into a different experience. And once you’ve done that, you’re automatically thinking bigger because you’ll have taken yourself outside of yourself.
Take Trips
Don’t just ask your child to envision a big, wonderful world — show them! There are no downsides to taking your family on a trip to visit another culture, and there can be a lot of positives. It’ll require planning and money, of course, but it’ll be worth it!
Books and Documentaries
Finally, look at filling your home with books. Your children will pick them up eventually and might just learn a thing or two. You can also look at watching documentaries with the family too — there are plenty of excellent family-friendly documentaries that will be educational and entertaining and which will get people thinking.
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