Creativity often seems like an enigmatic force—something that some individuals possess while others do not. However, creativity is not simply an innate talent bestowed upon a select few; it is a skill that can be cultivated and honed over time. So, can you train your creativity? Absolutely. In fact, creativity can be nurtured through deliberate practices, much like training for a sport or learning a new language.

Creativity, like any muscle, becomes stronger with consistent use.

Embrace Curiosity and Wonder

The first step in training creativity is rekindling a sense of curiosity. Creativity thrives on wonder—asking questions about how things work, why they exist, and imagining what could happen if they were different. Encourage students to explore topics without the pressure of arriving at the “correct” answer. Create space in the classroom for open-ended inquiry, where students can follow their curiosity, experiment, and reflect on their discoveries. This type of exploration lays the foundation for creative thinking.

Ritualize Creative Practice

Creativity, like any muscle, becomes stronger with consistent use. Establishing routines or rituals that encourage creative thought can help make creativity a habit. This could include daily doodling, writing down three new ideas every morning, or engaging in ten minutes of free writing. A creative ritual helps establish the mindset necessary for exploration and risk-taking. In educational settings, this could mean setting aside regular time for students to engage in activities like brainstorming, storytelling, or creating art. Rituals help normalize creative practice, allowing students to feel comfortable experimenting and learning from mistakes.

Combine Ideas in New Ways

Creativity is often about forging new connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. One way to train creativity is by deliberately combining ideas from different domains—a technique known as “synectics.” For example, imagine how a historical figure might use modern technology, or how the unique characteristics of an animal could be adapted to solve a human problem. Encourage students to draw inspiration from everything around them and combine disparate ideas to create something novel. Cross-disciplinary projects are particularly effective in nurturing this skill—where science, literature, and art intersect, creativity flourishes.

Ultimately, nurturing creativity is about equipping students with the skills needed to address the complex challenges they will face in the future.

Create an Environment That Fosters Psychological Safety

Creativity inherently involves risk-taking, which requires an environment in which individuals feel safe to make mistakes. A crucial aspect of training creativity is fostering a culture of acceptance—one that values diversity of thought and encourages unconventional approaches. When students understand that they will not be judged for a “wrong” answer or an unconventional idea, they are more willing to take creative risks. Educators can model this by praising effort, encouraging divergent thinking, and being transparent about their own mistakes and how these experiences contribute to growth.

Practice Mindfulness

Although mindfulness and creativity may not initially seem connected, they are deeply intertwined. Mindfulness trains individuals to be fully present and to observe without judgment, which facilitates the free flow of ideas unburdened by self-criticism. A simple mindful breathing exercise before a creative activity can help students enter a relaxed state, allowing new ideas to emerge without fear or censorship. The more students practice mindfulness, the more easily they can access their creative potential.

Make Creativity Purposeful

Creativity flourishes when it serves a meaningful purpose. Provide students with real-world problems to solve and empower them to use their creativity to make a difference. Project-based learning—where students work toward a meaningful goal, such as designing a community garden, developing a public awareness campaign, or creating a new game—gives direction to their creativity and helps them recognize the value of their contributions. When students see that their creativity can have a real-world impact, it becomes a powerful, trainable skill that they are motivated to develop.

Creativity is not a mystical gift; it is an ability that we all possess and can strengthen over time. By embracing curiosity, ritualizing creative practice, combining ideas, fostering a supportive environment, practicing mindfulness, and giving creativity a purpose, we can train ourselves—and our students—to think more creatively. Ultimately, nurturing creativity in educational settings is not just about art projects or brainstorming sessions; it is about equipping students with the skills needed to address the complex challenges they will face in the future.