Yes, we know the importance of children's first contact with school. We know our young people bring a love of learning and an excitement of discovery with them to school, but why, unfortunately, does that burning flame diminish into a glowing ember? Could it be that traditional learning with workbooks and fill-in-the-blank sheets does not provide inspiration for budding scientists, poets, mathematicians and artists?

Creative Problem Solving for Young People is not a substitute for a regular curriculum from a good pre-school or early-elementary classroom, but it provides teachers with ideas and techniques that can enhance regular lessons or provide a time during the day for children to enjoy learning skills that they can apply to every other aspect of their education. ?

When my search began to find material to teach creative problem solving, I found some excellent sources, but they all required at least second-grade reading skills (most required at least fifth-grade skills.)

What could I do? It is my belief that enhancing a young child's ability to solve problems is the best skill a teacher can impart to an individual, growing up in this era in which information and technology change and increase daily.

By using concepts of creative problem solving that were developed for older children and modifying and combining them with the abilities, needs, and stages of development of young children, I formulated the curriculum for this book.

The beginning chapters concern research and background information, while the remainder of the book provide actual lessons that can be used in the classroom. The reader may skip any section and return to it at a later time.

Download the Table of Contents page here.

For primary teachers.