You don't need a complicated methodology to spark children's creativity. SCAMPER is a simple but incredibly effective tool that will help you generate new ideas and find original solutions. This article will explain how SCAMPER works and how this technique helps a child's creative development.
And if your kids love IT technology, welcome to Progkids!
What is SCAMPER
This is a method of creative thinking and idea generation that helps to find new solutions and improve ready-made ideas. Here's how SCAMPER stands for:
S (Substitute) — Replace it!
What elements or components can be replaced with others to improve the idea?
C (Combine) — Combine it!
How can you combine different elements or ideas to create something new?
A (Adapt) — Adapt
How can you use the idea differently or adapt the idea to different conditions?
M (Modify) — Modify
What changes can be made to the idea to make it better?
P (Put to another use) — Use it differently
How can an idea be used in new ways or in different contexts?
E (Eliminate) — Eliminate
What components of the idea can be removed without compromising functionality and quality?
R (Reverse/Rearrange) — Change the order
How can we change the order of the elements of the idea and find new perspectives and opportunities?
SCAMPER advantages
Developing creativity
Helps children generate new and original ideas.
Developing systems thinking
It teaches children to analyze objects and ideas from different angles.
Developing problem-solving skills
It helps children find effective solutions for various problems.
An exciting process
It turns learning into an interesting game.
How to develop a child with SCAMPER
#1. Task selection
Start with a simple task that is easy for the child to understand. This could be creating a new toy, improving an existing game, solving a problem at home, or creating a plot for a story.
#2. SCAMPER application
Go through each SCAMPER point by asking appropriate questions. Encourage your child to generate lots of ideas without evaluating their quality at this stage.
#3. Recording ideas
Write down all your child's ideas, even the most unusual ones. This will help him feel more confident and freer in the creative process.
#4. Developing ideas
After you've collected a large number of ideas, pick a few of the most interesting ones and discuss how you can develop and improve them.
#5. Prototyping
If possible, encourage your child to prototype their idea. This will help him better understand its practical applications and make the necessary adjustments.
SCAMPER and words
Using the SCAMPER technique can be fun. Let's look at how this works using a word game as an example.
No.1 — Replace it!
Question to the child: What letters can I replace to get new words?
For example: SON-KON-CAT (change one letter to get a new word).
#2 — Combine it!
Question to the child: What words can be combined to get something new?
For example, let's combine the words “cat” and “dog” to get KOTOPES (a new character in a story or game).
#3 — Adapt it!
Question to the child: What words can be borrowed from other languages?
For example: CAT CAT (take the English equivalent of the word).
#4 — Modify it! Enlarge it! Reduce it!
Question to the child: How can I change, increase or decrease a word?
For example, we reduce: CAT. Now we increase: CAT.
#5 — Apply it to someone else!
Questions to the child: What else can this object or idea be used for? What new features can be added?
For example: KOTOHAK (a life hack you can learn from a cat).
No.6 — Delete it!
Questions to the child: What can I delete? What elements can be eliminated to simplify or improve an object or idea?
Remove the letter: POTATO - KAROSHKA (a nice nickname for a character from history)
#7 — Flip it over! Rebuild!
Questions to the child: What can be turned upside down or rearranged? Is it possible to change the order of items, change direction, swap parts?
For example, let's read the other way around: OLYA-YALO (we got the names of the characters from the book “The Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors”).
SCAMPER and inventions
Objective: To improve an ordinary chair.
No.1 — Replace it!
Questions to the child: What can be replaced? What material can I use instead of the usual one?
For example, use metal instead of wood, fur instead of fabric.
#2 — Combine it!
Question to the child: What can you combine with a chair to get something new and unusual?
For example, combine a chair with a swing or with a book stand.
#3 — Adapt it!
Question to the child: What can be adapted?
For example, a bag chair (it turned out to be a “softened” version of the chair).
#4 — Modify it! Enlarge it! Reduce it!
Questions to the child: What can be changed, increased or reduced? How can I change the size, shape, color?
For example, make the chair foldable, height-adjustable, add armrests.
#5 — Apply it to someone else!
Questions to the child: What else can this object be used for? What new features can be added?
For example, use a chair as a plant stand, a table for tea ceremonies, or a roof for a dollhouse.
No.6 — Delete it!
Questions to the child: What can I remove? What elements can be eliminated to simplify or improve the object?
For example, remove the legs to make the chair low and comfortable for babies or a teddy bear.
#7 — Flip it over! Rebuild!
Questions to the child: What can be turned upside down or rearranged? Can parts be swapped?
For example, turning a chair upside down and using it as an exercise machine.
SCAMPER is an effective tool that can develop a child's creative potential in a playful way.
And if he is into IT technologies, sign it up at free trial lesson at Progkids!
