We all make decisions every day—what to study, which task to do first, how to solve a problem, or how to improve an idea. But often, we think about a problem in only one way.
This is where Six Thinking Hats can help us.
The concept of Six Thinking Hats was developed by Edward de Bono. It helps us look at a problem or idea from six different ways of thinking. Each “hat” represents a different way of looking at a situation.
Let us understand it in very simple language.
1. White Hat – The Facts Hat
The White Hat focuses on facts and information.
We keep our feelings and opinions aside and ask:
What information do we have?
What do we know?
What information do we need?
What are the facts?
Example:
Suppose a school wants to introduce Smart Classes.
The White Hat would ask:
How many classrooms are there?
How many students are there?
How many classrooms have projectors?
How much will it cost?
Remember:
White Hat = What do we know?

❤️ 2. Red Hat – The Feelings Hat
The Red Hat represents emotions and feelings.
Here, we can express how we feel without giving a long explanation or justification.
For example:
“I like this idea.”
“I am worried about this decision.”
“I think students will enjoy it.”
Example:
While discussing Smart Classes, a teacher may say:
“I feel that students will be more interested in learning.”
This is Red Hat thinking.
Remember:
Red Hat = How do I feel?

3. Black Hat – The Risks and Problems Hat
The Black Hat does not mean being negative. Its purpose is to identify possible problems, difficulties and risks.
It asks:
What could go wrong?
What problems might we face?
Could there be any disadvantages?
What should we be careful about?
Example:
“What will happen if the projector stops working?”
Or:
“What if teachers do not receive proper training to use the technology?”
This is Black Hat thinking.
Remember:
Black Hat = What could go wrong?

4. Yellow Hat – The Benefits Hat
The Yellow Hat helps us look at the positive side and benefits of an idea.
It asks:
What benefits can we get?
What positive results can we expect?
Why could this idea be useful?
Example:
“Smart Classes can help students understand difficult concepts through videos, animations and visual demonstrations.”
This is Yellow Hat thinking.
Remember:
Yellow Hat = What could go right?

5. Green Hat – The Creativity Hat
The Green Hat is the hat of creativity and new ideas.
It encourages us to think differently and ask:
“Can we do this in a new or better way?”
We should not immediately reject unusual ideas.
Example:
Instead of using Smart Classes only for lectures, we could:
Ask students to create presentations.
Conduct virtual experiments.
Create short educational videos.
Give students digital projects.
Conduct interactive quizzes and activities.
This is Green Hat thinking.
Remember:
Green Hat = What new idea can we create?

6. Blue Hat – The Thinking Manager
The Blue Hat manages and organises the entire thinking process.
It helps us decide:
What is the problem?
In what order should we think?
What information do we need?
What have we discussed so far?
What decision or conclusion should we reach?
Example:
A teacher may say:
“First, we will look at the facts. Then we will understand the feelings of students and teachers. After that, we will discuss the risks and benefits. Finally, we will think of new ideas.”
This is Blue Hat thinking.
Remember:
Blue Hat = How will we think?
Six Thinking Hats at a Glance

Hat      Colour         Focus                Simple
White   White           Facts        What do we know?
❤️ Red.   Red         Feelings        How do I feel?
Black     Black         Risks          What could go wrong?
Yellow   Yellow      Benefits          What could go right?
Green    Green       Creativity     What new idea can we create?
Blue     Blue            Process       How should we think?

How Can We Use Six Thinking Hats in the Classroom?
Suppose the question is:
“Should our school have activity classes on Saturdays?”
Now, students can think using all six hats.
⚪ White Hat:
How many students will be available on Saturday? How many teachers will be available?
Red Hat:
How might students feel about it? What might teachers feel?
⚫ Black Hat:
Attendance may be low. Students may feel tired.
Yellow Hat:
Students will get extra opportunities to develop hobbies and practical skills.
Green Hat:
We could introduce sports, theatre, coding, art, cooking, public speaking and other creative activities.
Blue Hat:
Now, the group will review all the ideas and prepare its final suggestions.

易 The Most Important Thing About Six Thinking Hats
The purpose of Six Thinking Hats is not to decide who is right or wrong.
Its purpose is to teach us to:
“Look at the same problem from different angles.”
Sometimes, we reject an idea because we notice only one negative point. Six Thinking Hats teaches us to stop and ask:
What are the facts?
What are the feelings?
What are the risks?
What are the benefits?
What new ideas can we create?
How can we organise our thinking?
That is why Six Thinking Hats can be useful for critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making and classroom discussions.

Easy Trick to Remember
White = Facts
Red = Feelings
Black = Risks
Yellow = Benefits
Green = Creativity
Blue = Process

One-Line Summary
“Six Thinking Hats teaches us to look at one problem through six different lenses.”