Learning Strategies 5 min read

Brainstorming

Brainstorming is the creative process of generating multiple ideas without judgment, helping teens expand thinking beyond their first thought and discover innovative solutions to problems.

Why brainstorming can be challenging

Many teens struggle with brainstorming because their brains default to black-and-white thinking or they fear judgment about "stupid" ideas, limiting creative problem-solving.

Common brainstorming blocks:
• Perfectionism stopping ideas before they start
• Fear of judgment shutting down creativity
• Rigid thinking limiting idea generation
• Overwhelm from too many possibilities
• Difficulty suspending critical thinking
• Rushing to first solution without exploring options

These challenges affect academic work, problem-solving, and future planning. Your teen might submit first drafts as final work or stick with failing strategies because they can't imagine alternatives.

You're not alone

If your teen's response to "What else could you try?" is always "I don't know," you're experiencing a common challenge. Many teens haven't learned that brainstorming is a skill requiring practice, not an innate ability. Schools often emphasize finding the "right" answer quickly, inadvertently discouraging the exploratory thinking brainstorming requires. Parents struggle teaching brainstorming while managing their own tendencies toward immediate solutions. Remember that creative thinking develops throughout adolescence and can be strengthened with practice.

What it looks like day to day

Student

Your teen has five minutes to list essay topics and panics, choosing the first idea that comes to mind rather than exploring options.

Parent

You ask "What should we do this weekend?" and get blank stares or "I don't care," but later complaints about being bored with chosen activities.

Tiny steps to try

Build brainstorming skills through structured practice and judgment-free exploration.

1

Quantity over quality

Set timers for rapid idea generation. Challenge your teen to list 20 bad solutions to a problem. Removing quality pressure unleashes creativity.
2

Visual brainstorming

Use mind maps, drawings, or sticky notes. [Drawing activities](/the-parent-bit/pencil-power-drawing-as-a-natural-treatment-for-adhd-in-kids-and-teens) can unlock different thinking pathways than verbal processing.
3

Category prompts

When stuck, use categories to spark ideas. "What would a scientist try? An artist? Your favorite video game character?" Different perspectives generate new possibilities.
4

Yes, and...

Build on ideas rather than dismissing them. Even "bad" ideas can lead somewhere useful when expanded rather than judged.
5

Brainstorm regularly

Practice with low-stakes decisions. Weekend plans, dinner choices, or gift ideas provide safe brainstorming practice without academic pressure.

Why brainstorming skills matter

Brainstorming, popularized by Alex Osborn in the 1950s, leverages divergent thinking to generate creative solutions. The process requires temporarily suppressing the brain's evaluative networks to allow free-flowing idea generation, followed by convergent thinking to select optimal solutions.

Research shows that individuals who practice brainstorming develop stronger creative problem-solving abilities and cognitive flexibility. The skill transfers across domains: students who brainstorm effectively write better essays, solve math problems more creatively, and navigate social challenges with more options. These benefits extend into adulthood, where innovation and adaptability are increasingly valued.

Paulus and Kenworthy (2019) found that structured brainstorming techniques significantly improve idea generation quality and quantity. Benedek et al. (2006) demonstrated that divergent thinking training enhances creative performance across multiple domains.

References

Benedek, M., Fink, A., & Neubauer, A. C. (2006). Enhancement of ideational fluency by means of computer-based training. Creativity Research Journal, 18(3), 317-328.

Paulus, P. B., & Kenworthy, J. B. (2019). Effective brainstorming. In P. B. Paulus & B. A. Nijstad (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of group creativity and innovation (pp. 287-305). Oxford University Press.

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Frequently Asked Questions

My teen says they can't think of anything. How do I help?

Start with constraints that paradoxically increase creativity. "Give me three terrible ideas" works better than "What's a good idea?" Use random word generators, image prompts, or "what if" questions to spark thinking. Model your own brainstorming process, including silly ideas. Sometimes the problem is fear of judgment rather than lack of ideas. Create safety for wild thinking first, evaluation later.

Should we use brainstorming for serious issues like college planning?

Absolutely. Serious topics benefit most from thorough exploration. However, separate brainstorming from decision-making sessions. One day, generate every possible college option without evaluation. Another day, apply criteria to narrow choices. This separation prevents premature closure and ensures thorough exploration. [Deep play](/the-parent-bit/deep-play-helps-teenagers-learn) between sessions often generates unexpected insights.