A big thank you to Tasha Eizinger for this guest post today. Tasha will be joining us in March inside the SMART Homeschool Society to talk even more about brainstorming, so consider this a teaser!
I didn’t always know how much I loved brainstorming.
I’m the author of The Little Shot picture book series, and somewhere along the way, while chatting with my dear friend and illustrator, I realized that brainstorming together had become one of my favorite parts of the creative process.
It’s exciting.
Fast-paced.
It makes me feel alive.
It’s almost like there’s a ping-pong ball bouncing around inside our own heads while we pass it back and forth between each other. One idea sparks another. Something unexpected appears. Momentum builds.
That’s when I realized: this is the magic.
Brainstorming isn’t just a pre-writing step. It’s the birthplace of creativity, invention, and confidence especially for children.
Why Brainstorming Is So Important for Kids
When children struggle with writing, projects, or creative work, it’s not usually because they lack ability. More often, they feel overwhelmed before they even begin.
Brainstorming eases that pressure. It gives children permission to explore ideas freely before narrowing them down. Through brainstorming, kids learn that ideas don’t have to be perfect to be valuable, that sharing thoughts out loud builds confidence, and that creativity can feel playful instead of stressful.
Without brainstorming, there is no invention.
No creation.
No curiosity-driven learning.
This is the phase where the brain is allowed to imagine all the possibilities without holding back. The realistic planning (which is important) comes later.
What Brainstorming Really Is (and Isn’t)
During brainstorming, pretty much anything goes.
There are no bad ideas.
There are no wrong ideas.
Ideas are simply thoughts that pop into our heads, and those thoughts can grow from an idea we already had, from something someone else shared, or from a wild leap we didn’t see coming.
Only after the brainstorming session do we pause to decide:
- which ideas are worth developing now
- which ideas we want to save for later
- and which ideas don’t really make sense at all
That kind of discernment belongs after brainstorming, not during it.
Brainstorming Must Happen in a Safe Space
This part matters deeply.
Brainstorming with children needs to happen in an environment where they feel safe. When a child feels ridiculed, dismissed, or corrected too soon, they shut down. Once a child shuts down creatively, it can be difficult to re-engage them.
As adults, our role is to protect the brainstorming space by listening without judgment, writing ideas down exactly as they’re shared, responding with curiosity instead of critique, and continuing to brainstorm alongside them, modeling how one idea naturally leads to the next.
When kids trust that their ideas are welcome, they keep offering them.
How to Brainstorm Effectively With Children
Brainstorming doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective.
Start by letting children know why you’re brainstorming. You might say, “We’re gathering ideas for a story,” or “We’re exploring possibilities for a project.” Purpose gives direction without pressure.
Make brainstorming interactive. It doesn’t have to be quiet or formal. Talk ideas out loud. Let ideas bounce back and forth. For children who struggle to write quickly enough, consider recording the conversation and writing the ideas down afterward. Just like that ping-pong ball: movement matters.
Visual supports can also be helpful. Some children think best when they can see their ideas through lists, mind maps, or simple sketches. There is no single right way.
Most importantly, resist the urge to evaluate too soon. Brainstorm first. Organize later. Keeping these steps separate is what keeps creativity alive.
Want a Guided Brainstorming Lesson?
If you’d like support walking your child through brainstorming step by step, I created a FREE Brainstorming Lesson as part of The Little Shot Publisher’s Workshop.
It includes:
- simple explanations kids understand
- guided prompts
- and a structure that removes overwhelm while building confidence
👉 Access the free brainstorming module here.
Final Thoughts
Brainstorming is where imagination gets permission to play.
When children learn that their ideas are welcome (before they’re polished, practical, or perfect) they learn how to think creatively for life.
That’s a gift that reaches far beyond the page.
Thank you again Tasha for this wonderful guest blog post! If you’d like to connect more with Tasha, you can find her at her website. And don’t forget to join Tasha and I inside the SMART Homeschool Society for a workshop on brainstorming!
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