Flow

Overview (from Positive Psychology)>

“The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times. The best moments usually occur if a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile” (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990).

The late Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, otherwise known as the “father of flow”, spent the majority of his life as a pioneering psychologist researching the concept of flow and how this internal optimal experience coincides with happiness.

The state of ‘flow’ is defined as a state of focused contentment in which one is fully immersed and energized (Csikszentmihaly, 1990).

Essentially, being in a flow state means being ‘in the zone’ and getting lost in what you are doing.

During his interviews for his research in 1975, Csikszentmihaly quickly noticed a pattern of people describing their experiences of this focused state as “being carried on by the flow” or “feeling like floating”, thus the term ‘flow’ was coined (Csikszentmihaly, 1975).

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According to Nakamura & Csikszentmihalyi (2001), there are several components of a flow experience, namely:

1. Intense and focused concentration on the present moment

2. Merging of action and awareness

3. A loss of reflective self-consciousness

4. A sense of personal control or agency over the activity

5. A distortion of the subjective experience of time

6. Experience the activity as intrinsically rewarding

Further research has added three more components to the overall flow state, this being receiving immediate feedback, feeling the potential to succeed, and feeling so engrossed in the experience that others become negligible (Cherry, 2014).

As you can see in the graphic at the top of the section, a flow state is achieved when there is an optimal balance between your skill levels and the challenge level (Csikszentmihalyi, 1998). Flow cannot be achieved when you are under-challenged, nor can it be achieved when you lack the skills to complete the task.

Learning Resources>

Flow Activities

Flow Theory

Mihály Csíkszentmihályi: Bio 1 | Bio 2

TED Talk on Flow

NOTE: Here are activities and strategies drawn from AI that can be taught in elementary schools to help students understand and experience the Positive Psychology flow state:

Activities to Foster Flow

1. Creative Arts:

   • Drawing and Painting: Allow students to freely express themselves through art without strict guidelines or time limits. This encourages deep focus and intrinsic motivation 5.

   • Creative Writing: Provide prompts that spark imagination but leave room for personal interpretation. Students can immerse themselves in storytelling or poetry 5.
     
     

2. Hands-On Play:

   • Building Blocks: Activities like constructing towers or designing structures challenge students physically and mentally, promoting focus and problem-solving skills 1.

   • Water Play: Using water tables or simple experiments with liquids lets children explore sensory experiences independently, fostering flow 1.
     
     

3. Interactive Learning:

   • Science Experiments: Encourage students to conduct simple experiments, such as mixing substances or observing reactions. The hands-on nature keeps them engaged 4.

   • Math Puzzles: Present math problems that are challenging yet achievable, ensuring the balance between skill and difficulty needed for flow 5.
     
     

4. Imaginative Play:

   • Role-Playing Games: Let students act out scenarios or create stories collaboratively, which engages their creativity and social skills 3.

   • Project-Based Learning (PBL): Assign extended projects where students explore topics deeply, such as designing a model city or researching environmental issues 3.
     
     

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Strategies to Teach Flow

1. Balance Challenge and Skill:

   • Design tasks that are neither too easy nor too difficult for each student’s skill level to maintain engagement and avoid frustration or boredom 34.

2. Promote Autonomy:

   • Allow students to choose tasks or projects based on their interests, fostering intrinsic motivation and ownership of their learning process 34.
     
     

3. Minimize Distractions:

   • Create a classroom environment free from interruptions, enabling students to focus deeply on their activities4.
     
     

4. Encourage Reflection:

   • After completing tasks, discuss with students how they felt during the activity, helping them recognize flow states and understand what triggers them 14.
     
     

5. Provide Ample Time:

   • Avoid rushing activities or imposing strict deadlines, as uninterrupted time is crucial for achieving flow 14.
     
     

By integrating these activities and strategies into the curriculum, educators can help elementary school students experience flow states, enhancing their creativity, motivation, and learning outcomes.

Citations:

1. https://firsthabits.com/flow-states/

2. https://inclusiveteach.com/2023/04/15/flow-state-applying-the-theory-in-the-sen-classroom/

3. https://www.cwilsonmeloncelli.com/flow-state-education/

4. https://www.cwilsonmeloncelli.com/innovative-flow-state-teaching/

5. https://psychcentral.com/health/flow-state

6. https://focusing.org/articles/we-work-teaching-children-maintain-state-flow-attending-felt-sense

7. https://www.futurity.org/connectedness-schools-flow-1977602-2/

8. https://flowtolearn.com/articles/

Flow State Image Source