Monsters, fear and fun. Bringing creative methodologies into the higher education classroom to study children and childhood

This paper addresses  the methodology of Design Thinking and its applicability as a creative methodology when teaching and learning Sociology of Childhood in a higher education context. Students were asked to develop an exercise in order to expand and deepen the theoretical and conceptual knowledge discussed in theoretical classes. Active and creative methodologies were specifically and purposefully designed to develop the ability to think critically about the problems presented, stimulating debate and sociological imagination. Inspired by the Mindshake Design Thinking Model Evolution 6², practical classes were organized and oriented towards specific techniques, namely the “Inspiration Board”, “Intent Statement” and “Insight Clustering”, following, respectively, the phases of exploration, data collection and analysis and interpretation of results. Illustration is given through the development of a research itinerary committed to think, discuss and creatively research the meanings of the “dark” and “darkness” of the night for children. Incorporating Design Thinking in the teaching and learning process in the field of social sciences, namely when researching children and childhood from a sociological perspective, proved to be a both fruitful and engaging tool both for teachers and students.