Spatial thinking

Spatial thinking is a kind of mental activity, during which spatial images are created and they are operated on to solve problems. The development of this type of thinking begins with 3-4 years. Even after 30 years, a person can significantly improve their ability to represent images in space.

Orientation in space is not just the ability to find a road in an unfamiliar terrain, and not only an unmistakable determination of where "right" and "left" are.

Well-developed spatial thinking is necessary for mastering such professions as architect, designer, pilot, sailor, as well as fashion designer. Wherever you need the ability to represent images, to change spatial objects in your imagination, this kind of thinking will be required.

In order to develop this ability, there are simple exercises. Let us consider in more detail ways to develop thinking aimed at working with spatial objects.

1. Think about what shapes are obtained by crossing two segments? Under what condition, when crossing two segments, one will be obtained?

You can try to solve this problem mentally, or to start drawing these pieces on paper. But try to avoid drawing, because it simplifies the task.

1. What shapes can be obtained by overlapping a triangle and a segment?
2. What shapes are obtained by superimposing two triangles on each other?

These are fairly simple tasks. They can be used not only for adults, but also for teaching children in order to develop a quality such as spatial thinking.

More complex tasks are related to the representation of a plane in three-dimensional space. You can create tasks for yourself and your child by using more or less complicated conditions.

In addition to the described exercises, the development of spatial thinking in children includes games with designers, compilation of voluminous puzzles and much more.

The development of this characteristic must necessarily include the formation of correct concepts about the location of the subject. The child must learn to call words the place of things in relation to others. For example, when asked where the toy is, the 4-year-old should be able to answer that, for example, under a bed or on a chair. Thus, it is very important to combine sensory experience with the development of the conceptual apparatus.

In adult life, when concepts are already formed, an important factor will be the ability to reproduce mentally different objects in space relative to each other. For example, after entering an unfamiliar room, carefully inspect the situation, and after leaving it, try to draw the location of objects in it as accurately as possible.

Spatial thinking helps us solve complex problems in the mind. For example, if you need to determine how the new cabinet in the room will look, you will have to mentally "fit" it into the interior, taking into account not only its size and shape, but also the color, as well as the location of other objects.

Spatial thinking is closely related to memory. For example, the ability to remember, and then mentally reproduce the arrangement of guests at a festive table, characterizes not only the ability to navigate in space, but also the skill of memorizing details.

Exercises for the development of spatial thinking are very useful at any age. At first, many people have difficulty in their implementation, but over time they are able to solve increasingly complex problems. Such exercises ensure normal functioning of the brain, avoiding many diseases caused by insufficient level of work of neurons of the cortex of the hemispheres.