At StartKidsUp we carry out different innovative projects through Design Thinking. On these Design Thinking phases, we work on the so-called “Soft Skills” that provide children and young people with tools for life.
The Design Thinking methodology has five phases, which at StartKidsUp we have simplified into four to make the process easier for the children, as follows:
Phase I: RESEARCH. Here kids research challenges in their environment, their neigbourhood, home, school, enhancing their critical thinking, empathy and their ability to analyze situations and problems. Through the observation of their environment they must identify aspects to improve in their immediate reality, thus encouraging reflection.
For example, in my school cases of bullying are increasing.
Phase II: CREATE. In this phase, they ideate solutions to the problem identified during the first phase, enhancing their creativity, team negotiation and decision-making skills. They experiment with their ideas, co-create with their peers and agree on the best alternative to a problem.
For example, we will create an anonymous chat to assess cases of bullying.
Phase III: EXPERIMENT, here the kids shape their solution by creating their prototype (website, logo, slogan, legos, scratch…). They work on creativity, teamwork and cooperation, flexibility and organization since they learn to establish roles, deadlines, task distribution, etc.
For example, they develop a web page (with Google Sites) with an attached form in which they receive reports of bullying cases at school.
Phase IV PRESENT. in this last phase they present their solution to decision-makers, cultivating their confidence and fostering their communication skills (design, ability to reason and convince, express their ideas assertively,…) learning to speak fluently in public.
For example, they present their solution to class delegates, teachers and school management.
If you prefer a simpler explanation, listen carefully to Starty, our pet octopus, in the video below. He teaches children how to undertake their own projects with courage and determination.
Bonus: during the whole innovation process there are mistakes, successes and failures, so kids learn to manage frustration and thus encourage their humility and ability to overcome.
