Creative thinking encompasses a whole range of cognitive skills and attitudes. Divergent thinking, curiosity, problem-solving, openness to new ideas – these are all hallmarks of a creatively agile mind. We believe that flexing these mental muscles can have transformative effects on young people’s well-being fostering mental health and resilience in the classroom.
Studies show that embracing creative thinking reduces students’ anxiety and depression while boosting self-esteem. The sense of agency and accomplishment derived from creative thinking also does wonders for motivation, determination, resilience and how they cope with challenges, which, in turn, improve academic performance.
Creative thinking, therefore, is not a “nice to have” in education, but a vital element supporting students in a multitude of ways. This imperative is what drives The B!G Idea which interweaves critical and creative thinking, providing students with a unique opportunity to develop creative skills in a supportive community by connecting them with mentors. With all this support, students learn to move fluidly between imagination and logic, individual and group work. This gives them first-hand experience with the messy, nonlinear nature of real-world problem solving.
Creative thinking meets the intrinsically human need for self-expression. When students have opportunities to ideate, innovate and co-create, they access a sense of agency and purpose that is fulfilling on a deeper level. The B!G Idea workshops are designed to let students exercise their creative muscles in an supportive environment. Failure is not just part of the creative journey; it is actively encouraged. This allows ideas to flow freely, which is validating and confidence-boosting. Students realise they have a unique perspective to contribute, encouraging them to become active citizens in their communities. By taking on challenges in areas like climate action, mental health, and inclusion, students also learn how to use creative thinking for good. The feedback and support students receive from their mentors ensures that they feel heard and validated, and realise their potential to bring about meaningful change.
Developing creative thinking skills plays a vital role in nurturing the mental and emotional well-being of students. Learning to approach problems with creative thinking isn’t just about generating solutions—it’s about reshaping the way students perceive obstacles and their capacity to overcome them. By integrating mentorship and practical challenges, our programme weaves creative thinking into our students’ education, preparing them to step out into the world not just as learners, but as innovative thinkers and active contributors to society.
