Design thinking is a valuable skill that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. At Kodely, we realize that it’s important for students to understand that technology is not the solution to problems but tools people use to solve problems. Therefore, to effectively solve problems, technology should be built to keep the people using them at the center and that is a core value that we integrate into each Kodely workshop.Here are some steps you can follow to teach your child design thinking:

1. Emphasize empathy: Teach your child to empathize with others and understand their needs and perspectives. Encourage them to observe and ask questions to gain insights into different situations.

2. Define the problem: Help your child identify a problem or challenge they would like to address. It could be something small, like improving a toy, or something bigger, like finding a solution for a community issue.

3. Ideation and brainstorming: Teach your child how to generate ideas. Encourage them to think outside the box and come up with multiple solutions. You can use activities like mind mapping, drawing, or storytelling to facilitate the brainstorming process.

4. Prototype and experimentation: Guide your child in creating a prototype or a representation of their ideas. It could be a drawing, a model, or even a role-play scenario. Encourage them to test and refine their prototype through experimentation and feedback.

5. Evaluation and iteration: Help your child analyze the results of their prototype and gather feedback from others. Teach them to reflect on what worked and what needs improvement. Emphasize that design thinking is an iterative process, and it’s okay to make changes and try again.

6. Encourage curiosity and continuous learning: Foster your child’s curiosity by exposing them to new experiences, encouraging questions, and providing opportunities for learning. Design thinking is a mindset that can be applied to various aspects of life, so help your child see the connections between design thinking and their everyday experiences.

Remember to provide a supportive and nurturing environment where your child feels comfortable exploring and experimenting. Let them take the lead and express their own ideas while providing guidance and encouragement along the way.