Participants develop a tale from subjects suggested by a trainer. Parents were advised to use activities like this to allow their children to develop creative thinking.

Screaming at your children to 'stop' may hinder the development of critical and creative thought: expert

By Wannapa Phetdee

Daily Xpress

Do you often tell your children to "stop" doing things? It's best if you didn't use that word, says a child-development expert.

"You could be destroying their creative thinking, unintentionally. I've found that some children develop a lack of confidence because they have been stopped. They won't grow up to be brave enough to do something extraordinary," says Assist Prof Usanee Anuruth-wong, president of Srinakharin-wirot University Centre for Gifted and Talented Children.

"Children are hardly educated to think in Thailand. I want parents to know how they can help their children develop thought.  If they don't develop thinking, they will not use reason or have creative ideas."

Last week the centre held a training session for parents in ways to help their children practise thinking skills. About 100 parents with gifted children, and teachers, took part.

"I've just seen that the negative words I use with my son will probably make him feel unhappy, or even stop creative thinking. I didn't know I was pressuring my son," explains Sithorn Chatchavarn, a 37-year-old mother.

Participants are trained to encourage children's creative and critical thought by providing activities. They are also taught to get their children to question things and use their imagination to tell stories.

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the gifted few

>> More than 1,000 attend the Centre for Gifted and Talented Children.

>> As many as 30 are considered highly gifted.

>> They have IQs as high as 180+