Being human, the
ability to think comes naturally to us. The thinking process involves a basic
understanding of the situation, grasping the information around us, and using
the same in the correct way. However, kids need encouragement and education to
develop critical thinking skills in them.
Why do we need to encourage critical thinking skills in kids?
Children observe
so many things around them. In order to make them evaluate, analyze, and decide
on different things or situations, they need support from parents, family, and
teachers. A motivating environment cultivates thinking skills in kids and encourages them to become aware of their
surroundings.
The major benefit of thinking skills in a kid is that he learns to grasp the information, filter, analyze and consequently solve problems. He also learns to choose the most suitable option out of different alternatives. He understands what to choose and why is he making that particular choice.
A child with critical thinking does not believe anything said to him or goes with the flow of his peers. In fact, he checks the facts, the logic, and the relevance of a situation, and then forms a fair opinion.
Kids exercise these critical thinking habits on their own from the age of 4 or 5 and as parents, we need to help them develop thinking kids further.
Let
the kids ask questions. Do not try to diffuse the curiosity of your children. Explain things
to them patiently. This would help them to understand the world around them.What do you do to develop critical thinking skills in kids? |
The major benefit of thinking skills in a kid is that he learns to grasp the information, filter, analyze and consequently solve problems. He also learns to choose the most suitable option out of different alternatives. He understands what to choose and why is he making that particular choice.
A child with critical thinking does not believe anything said to him or goes with the flow of his peers. In fact, he checks the facts, the logic, and the relevance of a situation, and then forms a fair opinion.
Kids exercise these critical thinking habits on their own from the age of 4 or 5 and as parents, we need to help them develop thinking kids further.
Ways to Cultivate Thinking Skills in Kids
Ask the right questions that let them think more and respond with reasons based on their evaluation. While discussing, you can ask him if he is okay or not with a certain idea, whether he agrees or disagrees and why so. This habit let the child think more.
Talk about cause-and-effect relationships. "If this happens then what will be the result?" Such a kind of approach helps kids to think before acting upon something. To develop the habit, you may ask your child while watching a show or movie about the consequences and why things happened that way.
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Enroll your child in a school club such as a debate club wherein the kids will get plenty of exposure to think critically and put across their views/ reasons and also hear out the counter reasons on the same subject.
Thinking skills help the kids to deal with real-life situations in a better way. They adopt a problem-solving attitude and attain the confidence to creatively think and decide.
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That's an informative blog Deepti ..Great ideas ..Thank you
ReplyDeleteThanks Saima:)
DeleteI'm trying to work on this with my 5 and 3 year old. When they get frustrated about something, I try to say, "Let's think about it," and help them work through it.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a great way with problem solving attitude.
ReplyDeleteI agree with reading as a way of supporting critical thinking. Kids learn so much from books.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, in fact we need to choose the books for kids wisely too.
ReplyDeleteNice article
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting post and has definitely given me something to think about.
ReplyDelete