Applicability of Lateral Thinking Across Age Groups
Edward de Bono argues that lateral-thinking exercises can be adapted from age seven through university and beyond. He recommends visual demonstrations for younger children and choosing the complexity of an exercise to suit the learners.
THE IDEA
Age
The lateral-thinking processes described by de Bono are basic ones. They apply to all ages and to all different levels of learning. I have used some of the most elementary demonstrations on the most sophisticated of groups such as advanced computer programmers and they have not felt that they were wasting their time. The more sophisticated the group the better is it able to abstract the process from the particular form in which it is demonstrated. While the lower age groups enjoy the item for its own sake the older age groups look more closely at the point behind it. Although the simpler items are applicable to all age groups the more complicated items may only be of use to more senior groups.
In the younger age groups the visual form is much more effective than the verbal since a child can always attempt to express something visually and, more importantly, to understand something that has been expressed visually.
From the age of seven right up to and through university education the lateral thinking process is relevant. This may seem a wide age group but the process is as basic as logical thinking and clearly the relevance of this is not limited to a particular age group. In a similar manner the relevance of lateral thinking cuts across the distinctions of subject even more than does mathematics. Lateral thinking is relevant whether one is studying science or engineering or history or English. It is because of this general application that the material used in this book does not require the background of any particular subject.
An attempt should be made to develop lateral thinking attitudes as a habit of mind at least from the age of seven onwards. The actual application of the ideas expressed in this book to a particular age level must depend to some extent on the experience of the teacher in presenting the material in an appropriate form. The two usual mistakes in this regard are:
- To assume that it is obvious and that everyone thinks laterally anyway.
- To assume that it is rather a special subject and not of use or relevance to everyone.
A simple exercise can serve several age groups: younger learners may enjoy the task itself, while more experienced learners may discuss the thinking process behind it. The teacher can adjust the presentation and complexity to the group.
When to use it
Educators designing lesson plans that incorporate lateral thinking for different grade levels.
Business trainers presenting problem-solving techniques to mixed-age teams.
Psychologists using age-appropriate lateral thinking exercises in therapy or cognitive development programs.
Curriculum developers creating age-sensitive materials that introduce lateral thinking as a habit of mind from early schooling through higher education.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Adapting Lateral Thinking Puzzles for Different Ages
A teacher uses simple visual puzzles (e.g., incomplete drawings) for 7-year-olds to encourage imaginative solutions, while for university students, the same teacher presents complex problem-solving scenarios (e.g., rethinking business processes) that require abstracting the lateral thinking process from the specific form.
Mixed-Age Training Session
In a mixed-age workshop, a facilitator offers both visual tasks and more abstract problems. Participants can compare how they approached each exercise and discuss how the method might apply at work, without assuming that everyone of the same age learns in the same way.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How does the effectiveness of visual forms for younger age groups apply in your own learning or teaching?
At what age do you think lateral thinking becomes most important, and why?
How can you adapt lateral thinking techniques for different age groups in your field?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)