For The Sake Of A Peaceful Life, This Is An Easy Way To Teach Children To Think Flexibly

Illustration (Gustavo Fring/pexels)

JAKARTA - Flexible thinking is the ability to think about things in a new or different way. This way of thinking helps you deal with uncertainty, solve problems, adapt to change, and incorporate new information into plans and ideas you already have.

Flexible thinking is also a big key in self-regulation and managing emotions. This rationale can be instilled in children from a young age, of course with parental guidance. If you want to educate your little one to think more flexibly, VOI summarizes some of the tips, launching Childmind, Friday, January 7th.

Emotional validation

Managing disappointment or uncertainty is difficult. For that, you as a parent need to validate the child's feelings when he feels it. Remember, when children feel heard and understood, they tend to put negative emotions aside and are better able to move on to find solutions.

Involve children

But remember, going from frustration or sadness to acceptance and action takes time. Your child may not respond as quickly as you would like. When that happens, be patient and encourage your little one to keep trying to think flexibly and help manage problems to build resilience.

Once your child has recovered from grief, invite him or her to help you come up with ideas for managing difficult uncertainty and change. When children feel part of a team, they have a greater sense of control and thus get the opportunity to practice flexible thinking skills within themselves.

Be a model for children

Children seek instructions from parents about how to behave. Modeling healthy flexible thinking will help you and your little one develop better habits and feel less overwhelmed when things don't go as expected.

Expressing your thoughts aloud when you are solving a problem is a great way to set an example for your little one. For example, if a relative cancels an appointment for dinner at a restaurant, you can express your disappointment in a healthy way, such as "Wow, that's disappointing. But how about we make plans for another day.” When children see you navigate change wisely and focus on solutions, they are more likely to do the same.

However, it's also important to let your child know when you've had a problem with no solution. When he asked about when the pandemic would end, for example. Tell the truth and show your little one that uncertainty does not always have to be faced with tension.

Ask for help if needed

Flexible thinking can be difficult to practice if the child has mental health problems such as anxiety or depression or in the family has recently experienced a traumatic event such as the loss of a loved one, job, or home.

Being in a state of uncertainty can trigger emotions that are difficult to control, especially if family members have not recovered from an atmosphere of sadness. If you notice your child is easily irritated, anxious, or sad, it may be a sign that they are struggling with mental health issues. Talk to your child about how he or she is feeling, and contact the school's supervising pediatrician who can help.

And remember, children are not the only ones affected. Parents are only human and the stress and hardships of a pandemic can have serious repercussions. If you are feeling very anxious, angry, or sad, you may need help getting back on your feet. If you're struggling, don't keep it to yourself. Call a friend or make an appointment with a therapist or doctor. Taking care of yourself is an important part of taking care of your family.