Dr. Robert J. Sternberg, Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, Tufts University, is a renowned psychologist who specializes in determining what makes people successful. Dr. Sternberg’s research demonstrates that imagination is as important as intelligence in predicting how successful people will be later in life. “Intelligence is important, but so is imagination.” There are two I.Q.’s: The classic Intelligence Quotient and now the Imagination Quotient.

Worried that your kids aren’t creative enough? There’s good news.  Dr. Sternberg’s research shows that creativity is not something you are either blessed with at birth or doomed to be without for life. Parents can stretch their children’s imaginations and supercharge their creativity. Here’s how:

1. Question and Challenge Assumptions.
   Ask your child to imagine new ways and wonder, “What if?” “What if you could have a dinosaur as a pet?” “Imagine vacationing on other planets.”


2. Generate a lot of ideas. Anywhere. Anytime.
   Encourage your kids to be creative everywhere—at restaurants, shopping, or traveling. Bring along plain paper and crayons so kids can draw what they imagine.


3. Explore other points of view.
   See the Earth as an insect would, or imagine what it would be like to trade places with a friend for the day.


4. Encourage creative collaboration.
   Few creative solutions are generated in isolation or by one hero. Build on each other’s ideas. Serve as a role model by tossing in your ideas, too.


5. Combine facts with fun.
   Knowledge and creativity go hand-in-hand. It’s the playful spin on what we know that leads to a new discovery. Take a simple problem you notice at home and ask your children to be inventors who create new solutions.