Critical thinking is integral to children’s mental growth as it makes them differentiate right from wrong. It enables them to remain clear, accurate and relevant while mulling over an issue. In other words, it leads a child to be logical and substantive in life. A renowned American child consultant Ellen Galinsky included critical thinking as one of the seven essential life skills in her book Mind in the Making. She rated critical thinking above all other skills that a child needs in life.
In today’s age where children have ample information on their fingertips, they need critical thinking more than ever. Furthermore, it also helps them in carrying out their studies conceptually. They do not need to memorise their study material if they can critically analyse topics.
Now, what are those measures that parents should take to train their children as a critical thinker? For starters, parents need to provide an environment where a child feels no pressure or negative influence. A child needs to remain relaxed while training to become a critical thinker. The first thing is calmness of mind. The child should be free of any burden or pressure.
Then comes giving a child the chance to think. For this, parents must let their children think. A child can best learn while they are in a playground. Thus,they should be allowed to play and realise what outcome certain actions can have.
We need to give our children hypothetical scenarios where they can learn how to think critically, and find solutions to the problems they face
Similarly, ask your child open-ended questions and let them answer them after thinking for a while. If they take time,so be it.But finally, the answer should come out of their mouth. This practice will encourage your child to think about things deeply.
In addition,you can also present a problematic situation to the child and ask them to come up with different options that can be helpful in resolving the scenario. With the repetition of this exercise, one day the child will be able to hone in the skill to critically evaluate everyoption. This will definitely work as a stepping-stone for them to become a good problem solver in the future.
On top of this, we need to give our children hypothetical scenarios where they could think critically to come out with solutions. For instance, during play, ask them that if we jump from a slide then what will be its result? What can we do to avoid this problematic situation? What should we prefer? This will develop their minds and broaden their thinking.
The crux of the matter is that children should be provided with an opportunity to think over the cause and effect of things so that they can mentally evolve as per the needs of the modern world, which demands mental dexterity and sharpness as an integral part of one’s personality
Children need to learn critically so that they can keep up with the expediently developing world.
The crux of the matter is that children should be provided with an opportunity to think over the cause and effect of things so that they can mentally evolve as per the needs of the modern world, which demands mental dexterity and sharpness as an integral part of one’s personality.
The writer can be contacted at [email protected]
Published in Daily Times, July 11th 2018.