Post Apocolypse

 
Bonobo said:   

From the perspective of the dinosaurs, 

we already ARE living in a post-apocalyptic world.

It's divergent thinking.  It's thinking outside of the box.  It's the ability to value divergent thinking.  It is puns.  It is creativity in every day activity.  It is acknowledging that differing "answers" can all be correct.  It is looking for new ways to use old things.  It is spontaneous, random, enriching, and, ultimately, it is a new perspective.

This is what it is like to homeschool Bonobo.

I have to admit, I am always learning how to be a better parent to my children.  But there is one thing that I have always encouraged and enjoyed seeing them develop:  divergent thinking.

We have a game we have played dozens of times, a game that the kids always want to play whenever friends join us for dinner.  LOL
The game doesn't have a name.  Maybe we'll brainstorm a name for it the next time we play...LOL.

Here is how you play.  It is a great game to play while you are waiting for dinner to be served, on an airplane, in a waiting room, on a long drive, or hanging out.  Choose an object.  Any random/common item will do.  Take turns coming up with as many different uses for that item as you can possibly imagine.  The more outlandish, the better.  Silly, creative, divergent. 

As for the object, we have used spoons, thimbles, those little numbers restaurants give us for waiting, keys, a straw, a salt shaker, and many other items.  Every day things, really.  Then we do everything we can to create hew ideas...mostly to make each other laugh!

As for Bonobo's outside-of-the-box thoughts, I'm sure you have a child or two who frequently astound you with thoughts and ideas that are unique and clever, I am often laughing with delight at his questions, pronouncements, and new ideas!

What have your kids said lately that has amazed you??????

My blog post is being featured in this week's 

Carnival of  Homeschool Blogs:

http://blog.nerdfamily.com/2012/05/carnival-of-homeschooling-9.html/