Ever had a student melt down because you changed the seating chart? Or seen someone freeze when a project didn’t go the way they expected? That’s where cognitive flexibility—or the lack of it—comes in. Flexible thinking is the ability to adapt to new situations, think in different ways, and adjust when plans change. It’s a game-changer for students, but for many, it’s a skill they need to develop intentionally. Luckily, teaching this can be fun! Let’s dive into why it’s important and explore some easy ways to build it into your classroom routines.
What Is Cognitive Flexibility?
Think of cognitive flexibility as mental agility—being able to pivot and adjust when things don’t go as planned. It’s not just for academics; it’s crucial for handling social situations, problem-solving, and decision-making. According to research from the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, cognitive flexibility is one of the core skills of executive functioning, which helps kids navigate the world more effectively (Harvard, 2023).
Why Some Students Struggle
For some kids, sticking to a plan feels safer than going with the flow. Students with executive functioning challenges, autism, or anxiety often have a harder time with flexibility. That resistance to change can look like stubbornness or refusal to participate—but usually, it’s just a sign that they need a little help learning how to adjust.
Strategies for Teaching Flexible Thinking
- Be a Flexibility Role Model
Show students how you handle unexpected changes with a positive attitude. For example, if the projector doesn’t work, you might say, “Oops, change of plans! Let’s do this another way instead.” - Practice “Low-Stakes” Changes
Try small shifts in your routine, like swapping the order of activities or changing a rule in a classroom game. - Reward Flexible Thinking
When you notice a student adapting well, give them a shoutout! Recognize their effort to adjust, even if it’s a little uncomfortable for them.
Games and Activities to Build Cognitive Flexibility
Believe it or not, flexible thinking CAN be built when games and activities have a cognitive flexibility focus. This may sound really lofty, but here’s a few super simple ideas to help get the ball rolling. They’re fun and easy to incorporate into daily and weekly routines.
- Switch It Up!
Play a familiar game (like Simon Says), but add a twist—like reversing the meaning of commands. For instance, “Simon says touch your head” now means touch your toes. - Multiple Solutions Challenge
Present a problem and ask students to brainstorm different ways to solve it. For example, “How many ways could we organize our desks today?” - Improv Storytelling
Have students create a story together, adding to it one sentence at a time with the rule “Yes, and…” This helps them think on their feet and adjust their ideas to fit others’ contributions. - Flexible Thinking E-Book
I have a bunch of e-books I have created over the years that are designed to target tricky and specific skills – like flexible thinking! This brings cognitive flexibility to life with real photos and tangible examples for kids to walk through. Also, when a student doesn’t even know what cognitive flexibility is, how can we expect them to improve their flexible thinking skills?! This e-book helps change that. - Caregiver Education
Don’t pass up the enormous opportunity to loop in the student’s home life! Sending home this simple connection letter with definitions, examples, activity ideas, & a book list can help shed awareness on flexible thinking. When caregivers also have this on their radar, it can really help keep consistency flowing!
Building flexible thinking doesn’t have to feel like work.
It can be as simple as playing games or tweaking routines. And the benefits? Students who can adapt, problem-solve, and thrive in unpredictable situations. Try one of these activities this week and see how your students grow!
