Does Your Curriculum Flex Both Sides of the Brain?

Why You Need Both Convergent and Divergent Thinking in Your Homeschool Plans

As you plan next year’s homeschool adventures, don’t just ask, “What subjects are we covering?” Ask, “How are we stretching our child’s brain?” To really prepare your kids for life (and not just tests), you’ll want a mix of both convergent and divergent thinking in your curriculum.

So, What Is Convergent Thinking?

Convergent thinking is all about finding the right answer—and fast. It shines in math, science, grammar, and anywhere your child needs to follow rules, spot patterns, or solve problems with clear solutions.

Curriculum heavy in convergent thinking trains your child to:

  • Think logically
  • Evaluate facts
  • Choose the best answer
  • Crush standardized tests

Let’s be honest—convergent thinking keeps the light switches on and the airplanes flying. It’s a must-have.

But What About Divergent Thinking?

Ahh, divergent thinking—the land of creativity, innovation, and “Wait, what if we tried it this way?” Divergent thinking lets your child explore open-ended questions and dream up endless possibilities.

Your child taps into divergent thinking when he:

  • Finds multiple ways to solve a problem
  • Builds outside-the-box block towers
  • Animates a video with an unexpected twist
  • Turns a scribble into a space dragon

These activities don’t have just one correct answer—and that’s the point. Divergent thinking fuels innovation and helps your child think deeply, flexibly, and joyfully.

Why You Need Both

Real life doesn’t stick to multiple-choice questions. The best problem-solvers use both types of thinking:

  • They analyze and evaluate (convergent).
  • Then, they brainstorm, experiment, and imagine (divergent).

One without the other leaves your child unbalanced, like a superhero who only trained one arm. Your curriculum needs to stretch both to build true critical thinking.

Make It Happen

Most textbooks stick with convergent thinking (it’s kind of their thing). So it’s up to you to invite in the wild, wonderful world of divergent thinking. That could mean:

  • Adding open-ended building kits
  • Choosing art projects with no “right” way to finish
  • Playing strategy games
  • Letting your child ask and answer his own “what if” questions

This year, ask a new question while you plan:

“How will this curriculum grow my child’s convergent and divergent thinking?”

If the answer makes you smile, you’re on the right track.

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