Kids are innately curious. Asking questions like “Where does the sun disappear at night?” “Why is the water blue?” or “Where do babies come from?” This curiosity helps them learn about their surroundings, which is essential for their development. As kids grow older, it is critical to be encouraging towards them when they ask questions instead of being dismissive. You can also teach them what are the right kinds of questions to ask.
What Is Critical Thinking?
Critical thinking is the ability to form a decision based on the available facts and resources. It includes recognizing a problem, analyzing ideas, dismissing assumptions, listing probable causes, and finding plausible solutions using logical reasoning.
Critical thinking is more than memorization. It encourages children to connect the dots between concepts, think creatively, solve problems, and apply their knowledge and ideas. Contrary to popular belief, critical thinking is not limited to subjects like math and science; it is also essential for success in multiple academic disciplines and day-to-day life.
Here are some exercises that can help you instill critical thinking in children:
Asking Questions
Asking children open-ended questions provides them the opportunity to apply what they have learned and build on their previous knowledge. It also allows them to solve problems, improvise, and boost self-esteem as they express themselves in front of their classmates.
Inspiring creativity
Imagination is vital in teaching critical thinking. Teachers should always be on the lookout for new ways students can use information to create something, such as art projects. Students can also indulge in story writing or poetry, inventing, building games, singing, and much more.
Brainstorm
Brainstorming is a great learning tool. It also serves as an excellent exercise for critical thinking, especially with visual elements that promote healthy classroom discussions.
Decision-Making
As a major part of teaching critical thinking is related to applying knowledge and devising solutions, teachers should also encourage decision-making. This enables students to solve problems using their knowledge, considering the pros and cons, and then deciding the best solution.
Teamwork
Group discussions and projects are also an excellent way to encourage critical thinking in young students. Cooperative learning exposes kids to their peers’ different thought processes and expands their worldview and thinking by depicting that there’s no single right way to solve a problem.
Just like when John, aka Mr. Who from Mr. Who’s Remarkable Expeditions, and his family took a wrong turn on their trip and were stuck in the middle of nowhere. The family gathered and considered the best action plan to reach the resort on time and enjoy all activities. John used his observation and deduction skills and got his family back on track.
Incorporating Multiple POVs
One of the best exercises for critical thinking is exploring a single concept from several perspectives. This strategy allows young students to share their views while listening and learning from others.
Lev Mikulitski has expanded on the importance of instilling critical thinking in children in his book Mr. Who’s Remarkable Expeditions and the positive outcome of raising children prone to thinking logically without letting their emotions get the best of them. To learn about the wonders this skill can do for your child’s development, grab a copy of Mr. Who’s Remarkable Expeditions.
