“There is nothing easier than studying what is interesting,” these words are attributed to the famous scientist Albert Einstein, a man who is used to thinking in an original and unconventional way. However, today very few students consider the learning process to be something fascinating and exciting and, unfortunately, such antipathy manifests itself already at a young child's age. What do teachers need to do to overcome the gloom of the learning process? How already from kindergarten to help children grow up as thinking individuals? Many teachers have seen from their own experience that the TRIZ system - the theory of solving inventive problems - is an effective assistant in achieving these goals. What is its essence? How in practice can this method be used in kindergarten?
The main concept of the technique
Initially, Heinrich Altshuller developed his theory for solving technical and engineering problems. However, over time, the basic principles migrated to pedagogy, winning more and more new fans every year. The TRIZ system in teaching children is a practical help for a child to find the best solution to a task or in a situation. The principle is: "There is a problem - solve it yourself", but not through trial and error, but through an algorithm of thought leading the child to a better solution.
Difference from standard training approaches
Classical pedagogy assumes that the child simply copies or imitates the actions of the teacher.
According to developing pedagogy, the kid has great freedom to think independently, but still the key decision is in the hands of the teacher. We illustrate these approaches with an example.
Suppose all children have the same cups in kindergarten . How to remember your own? The classic approach: the teacher gives everyone an individual sticker, sticks to his cup and asks the children to repeat this action. TRIZ in kindergarten will look like this: to encourage the child to think up and find differences on his own cup. Does it take longer? Maybe. However, a child’s imagination can amaze with its originality and inexplicability, and this will be his personal meaningful decision.
Practical use in kindergarten
In order to successfully apply TRIZ in kindergarten, it is important for the teacher to be well versed in such concepts as the principle of contradictions, the use of all resources, the ideal end result, and so on. However, it is not worth preschool children to paint TRIZ’s technical arsenal - it’s better to have more practice. For example, a child’s toy is broken. Using the principle of contradictions, we can clarify whether this is good or bad. Most likely, the answer will be "bad." Then the use of all intellectual resources takes effect : how can it be used now? How's the stand? Or is it a supercar that can ride on three wheels?
An example of the application of the technique in kindergarten
TRIZ receptions in kindergarten do not require specially allotted time - this is a matter of thinking and approach to children. For example, reading a fairy tale with children, you can analyze the behavior of the protagonist.
If we turn to the classic nursery rhyme about a bull whose “the board is running out, now I’m going to fall,” we can encourage the children to reflect on the following questions: how to help the goby not fall? Let him stop. But he needs to go further, what to do? Attach another stitch and so on. The main thing is not to make decisions instead of the child, but to teach him to think and analyze the situation from different angles and in terms of effectiveness. TRIZ-technologies in kindergarten can bring pleasure to the teacher himself.
So, if you are already inspired and crave to think so with your wards, then carefully read the following tips.
Skillful use of TRIZ in kindergarten
Fight the urge to lecture and explain a given situation for a long time. If the child does not understand what you want from him, then it is worth moving this conversation to another time or not returning to it at all.- Do not put pressure on the child with words like “come soon”, “think for yourself”, “this is wrong”. TRIZ technology in kindergarten implies that any opinion and version is worth considering. In addition, the child learns to think gradually, and the task of the teacher is to help, not to force.
- Do not forget the praise. Of course, it should be sincere and specific. Let the child feel confident in communication and express his wildest ideas.
- Rely on the knowledge and concepts that the child is fluent in. To build a chain of hypotheses, you need to have a complete understanding of this problem and situation.
Having already a basic idea of what TRIZ technique is in kindergarten, and remembering these tips, you can safely make out some games. Children will not only like them, but they will also put the whole theory into reality.
Someone who lives in a small tower?
Purpose : to teach the child the elements of analysis, to encourage him to notice common signs by comparing them.
You will need : colorful images of different objects, for example: pear, pen, house, backpack, saucepan, flower and so on. You can make these blanks yourself or make them together with the children. A large box or closet is ideal for a tower-house - the imagination of the children will tell them everything else.
Intro : remember with your children the fairy tale "Teremok" and offer to play it the way they do in the country of Changeling.
Course of the game : each child with his eyes closed draws out his drawing and plays for the painted object. The host chooses the owner of the tower - the King of Changeling, who called his friends to a feast. Characters take turns approaching the tower. The first guest asks a question:
- Knock, knock, who lives in a small tower?
- I - ... (calls himself, for example, a flower). And who are you?
- And I - ... (calls himself, for example, a pear). Let me go to the teremok?
- I’m letting you know how you look like me.
The guest carefully compares the two drawings and names the common points found. For example, he can say that both the flower and the pear have a twig. After this, the first participant enters the teremok, and the next guest is already knocking on the owner. It is important to maintain a friendly atmosphere: if someone cannot answer, then the rest of the children help.
"Masha-Rasteryasha"
Purpose : to train attention, the ability to see all the necessary resources.
Before the game, it is important to include TRIZ elements. In kindergarten, this is not difficult to do, since a huge number of various subjects are offered to the attention of the child. You can ask, pointing to the object: "Why this cup? Why the door? Why this pillow?"
Introduction : to tell children about scattered and forgetful people who confuse and forget everything (do not forget to make an educational conclusion). And then ask: who wants to help masha-confusion? Further, the game can be carried out in two ways at will.
- The host will be Masha. Looking around bewilderedly, he says:
- Oh!
- What happened?
- I lost (calls some object, for example, a spoon). What will I eat soup now (or call any other action)?
Compassionate helpers begin to offer their own ways to solve the problem: you can take a cup and drink a yushka, and then eat everything else with a fork, etc.
2. The development of the game is the same as in the first, but the role of Masha-Rosterasha is played by different children, and not just the host. For example, whoever offered the best alternative to a lost item becomes Masha. This ensures the activity of all participants in the game.
The role of the game in child development
These are just two good examples that illustrate how effective TRIZ methods are in kindergarten. Games, of course, can be very diverse, for the teacher there is complete freedom of imagination. But if at first something doesn’t work out very well, this is not a reason to give up. The game for the development of a child aged 3 to 7 years is of tremendous importance, because it is in it that the child imitates the social roles surrounding him, so you should try to learn how to combine TRIZ technology with the game. In kindergarten this is especially important, believe me, the result is worth it.
What age to start
There are no strict rules and specific restrictions in this matter. However, it is important to remember that from the very first years of his life, a child begins to encounter situations that require him to find a rational solution. Probably many of us were eyewitnesses or participants in such a conversation:
- Mom, light!
- Olya, the chair!
That's TRIZ. Although, of course, that my mother in this case did not realize what approach she was taking now. She just helped the child solve the problem, prompting him to reflect and use all the resources available to him.
It is all the more important to use TRIZ-technologies in kindergarten when a trained teacher deals with children. Of course, each will have successes of his own: it is better for some kid to sculpt rather than draw, for the other - vice versa. However, both have a positive impact on its development. Similarly, TRIZ technology will in any case have a beneficial effect on the mental and cognitive development of the child. So is it worth it to delay?
The influence of the method on the type of worldview of the child
In preschool age, the child does not yet have a formed worldview. Therefore, at this stage, the role of TRIZ in kindergarten is to develop analytical and comparative thinking, the ability to find possible solutions and choose the best.
However, in the future, such mental training will form not just a thinking person, but one who is always able to develop. This is not a narrow-minded, notorious person who gives up and gets lost in difficulties. No, this is a kind of thinking that is aware of past incorrect conclusions and hypotheses, but continues to move on confidently. It is these qualities that are so valued in modern society. Purposeful person, if he sees a dull corner in front of him, then, having analyzed, he will understand that he is probably made of plasticine or paper, and will overcome it by spending additional forces.
The choice is each
Of course, each parent or teacher will decide for himself how to deal with children. However, it is always useful to reflect: how do I want to see my child or the charges entrusted to me? If all aspirations and efforts are directed only to satisfy physical needs and give a minimum amount of knowledge, then will a thinking and diverse personality grow? In our age of hustle and bustle, it’s sometimes difficult to learn something new, but the result is worth it! In any case, the climb to the mountain begins with the first step. And who knows what hidden opportunities and huge potential can be discovered in yourself using TRIZ? The main thing is not to be afraid of breaking stereotypes of teaching and looking for new approaches. Of course, you can’t become a perfect teacher, but you can always strive for this goal!