The opportunities of the future require creative problem-solvers, inventors, and out-of-the-box thinkers—yet we spend so much time teaching kids to color inside the lines.

We send the message that it’s wrong to do things differently than how we would have done them.
If we want to equip our kids to face future challenges in a fast-changing world, we need to focus less on teaching them what to think and more on how to think.

Easier said than done, right?
So how do we actually do this?

It's Not About Fancy Programs!

In a world where parents are constantly bombarded with the latest programs, curriculums, or subscription boxes, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
There’s always the nagging thought: “If I don’t get this for my kid, they’ll fall behind.”

But here’s the truth:
You don’t need any of that to raise the next great thinker—the future MiSFiT.

Kids are already naturally curious.
The problem is, over time, that curiosity gets slowly trained out of them.

If we want to keep that creative spark alive in a world obsessed with “right answers,” we need to actively nurture it.

Why Creativity Matters (And How We're Stifling It)

Creative thinking is the ability to see multiple solutions, juggle different ideas, and weigh various factors to come up with something original.
When we control how kids solve problems, we unintentionally limit their potential—and force our narrow perspective on them.
What a disservice that is.

Unfortunately, the way most kids are taught today does the exact opposite of fostering innovation.
Standardized testing, rigid lesson plans, and military-like schedules have created an environment where creativity struggles to survive.
And this isn’t just a problem in traditional schools—it happens in many homeschool settings, too.

The Parenting Trap: Over-Guiding

One of the biggest mistakes we make as parents is feeling like we need to guide our kids through every single activity.
If we’re not “pouring into them” constantly, we feel like we’re failing them.

But for kids interested in STEM—or any kind of problem-solving—this mindset is actually holding them back.
Real learning happens when they explore on their own.

Four Reasons Kids Lose Creativity

1️ Fear of being wrong. An obsession with correct answers creates kids who are afraid to try.

2️ Over-scheduling. Constant activities leave no room for free, unguided play.

3️ Rigid curriculums. Many schools (and teachers) discourage different answers or unconventional thinking.

4️ Excessive screen time. Instead of creating, kids consume. Technology is great—but it disrupts the quiet reflection needed for innovation.

So, What Can We Do About It?

👉 Ask Open-Ended Questions

Simple prompts like:

• “What would happen if…”

• “Why do you think we should do it that way?”
  spark curiosity and deeper thinking.

👉 Promote Hands-On, Unguided Activities

Stop giving kids projects with step-by-step instructions.
Instead, present a problem to solve and provide materials they might use—but don’t give them the solution.
Hint: There is no right answer.

👉 Normalize Failure as Part of Learning

Kids today struggle with failure.
We need to build their resilience by showing that failing is simply part of the process.

Tell stories of inventors who failed again and again.
For instance, Thomas Edison made over 1,000 unsuccessful attempts before perfecting the lightbulb. 💡
Imagine if he had quit after the first few tries.

👉 Give Them Space

The most important ingredient for creative thinking is space.
Give them an open-ended task—and then step back.

The hardest part? Resisting the urge to guide.
But trust me: letting their minds wander is where the magic happens.

Let Kids Surprise You

Children lack life experience, but they make up for it with an unbiased, unfiltered view of the world.
They haven’t (yet) heard “that’s impossible” a hundred times.
As adults, we tend to share our limiting beliefs in a misguided attempt to protect them.

But the future needs wild ideas and untamed curiosity.
It’s not about whether their idea works—it’s about keeping their creative muscles strong.

Start Small: Try This Tonight 👇

At dinner tonight, ask your kids:

• “What if we had to design a machine to clean plastic off beaches—how would you do it?”

Let them answer.
Then, instead of suggesting fixes, keep asking questions:

• “How would it be powered?”

• “What would it do with the trash?”

• “How would it avoid hurting wildlife?”

You'll be amazed at how far their minds can go when given the space.