{"id":21386,"date":"2026-06-19T11:06:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T11:06:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/glendaleschool.org\/in\/?post_type=glossary&p=21386"},"modified":"2026-06-19T11:08:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T11:08:49","slug":"what-is-lateral-thinking-and-why-is-it-important-for-students","status":"publish","type":"glossary","link":"https:\/\/glendaleschool.org\/in\/glossary\/what-is-lateral-thinking-and-why-is-it-important-for-students\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Lateral Thinking, and Why is it Important for Students?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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What is Lateral Thinking?<\/b><\/h2>

If you have ever watched your child solve a puzzle in a way you never expected, you have already seen lateral thinking in action. The term was coined by Maltese psychologist Edward de Bono in 1967. He described it as a way of solving problems through indirect and creative approaches- ideas that go beyond the straightforward, step-by-step logic we are all taught in traditional classrooms.<\/span><\/p>

In simple terms, it<\/span> is the ability to look at a problem from a completely different angle. Where conventional thinking asks, “How do I get from A to B?”, lateral thinking asks, “Do I even need to go through B?”<\/span><\/p>

How Does Lateral Thinking Differ from Vertical Thinking?<\/b><\/h2>

A quick comparison helps make this clearer:<\/span><\/p>

Feature<\/b><\/p><\/td>

Vertical Thinking<\/b><\/p><\/td>

Lateral Thinking<\/b><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Approach<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Step-by-step, linear<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Multidirectional, creative<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Pattern Use<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Deepens existing patterns<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Restructures patterns<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Uncertainty<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Avoided<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Welcomed<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Reward<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Depth of knowledge<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Breadth of knowledge<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Novel ideas<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Not encouraged<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Central to the process<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

What are Some Lateral Thinking Examples?<\/b><\/h2>

Sometimes, the best way to understand a concept is through real stories. Here are two everyday lateral thinking examples that students can relate to:<\/span><\/p>