Importance of Critical Thinking in Younger Kids

You might have heard the term ”critical thinking skills” so many times in your life that you don’t even think about what it really means.

Over the course of time, experts and educationalists have come up with new terms and phrases to explain different concepts, but now, the importance of fostering early critical analysis has been highlighted more than ever.

Critical thinking requires more than just teaching your children some topics, and it is much more than your child possessing the skills or ability. It is more of a process which teachers and parents must help kids cultivate as they grow and expand their knowledge.

Why critical thinking is important

Critical thinking helps us get through everything; even some of our most basic daily activities. With proper critical thinking, we can analyze and critically solve a complex idea, arriving at a solution that will help us.

The more advanced we get; the deeper we apply critical thinking. Doctors, researchers, scientists and other experts employ critical thinking to solve some of life’s biggest problems.

Just like using kindergarten grade math worksheets is beneficial to children, it is important that parents and teachers plant those seeds to encourage critical thinking at a very early age.

Actions of a critical thinker

Watch your students or kids carefully to note when they progress from concrete thinking to critical thinking.

A critical thinker approaches problems and situations with an open mind.

A critical thinker recognizes that there might be more than one way to look at things; and thus, more than one answer to a problem.

A critical thinker tries to back up their ideas with evidence.

A critical thinker asks questions based on facts collected.

You should not expect your kindergarten kids to walk into school armed with some or all of the above listed qualities, but it is definitely something that will develop in your child as they progress.

Tips for cultivating positive critical thinkers

Children will need all the encouragement and help to cultivate their positive critical thinking skills, from both parents and teachers.

Encourage your children to not be afraid of being wrong

You should encourage your students to speak up in class and partake in class activities. When you ask questions, your students should not be discouraged from attempting to answer for the fear of being wrong. Rather, teach them to feel free in class, and reiterate that it is okay to be wrong sometimes.

Ask open-ended questions

When you read comprehension passages with your kids, ask them questions that require more than just a yes or no answer. The questions should have answers that require more than a one-worded response. These kinds of questions are helpful in fostering critical thinking in children.

Look at things from different points of view

Your children will be prone to thinking that there is just one “right” way of everything. While this makes it easier for them to learn things in their early years, you must teach them that opinions can differ, and this is perfectly okay.

Connect different ideas and show your kids how they relate

During activities, connect ideas to show your children how different things correlate. For example, you can bring up social issues like homelessness, racial inequality and poverty if your child asks questions about a kitchen for homeless people. This will help your child understand that there is a strong line leading from poverty to homelessness.

Encourage your child’s imagination

Children are known to have wild imaginations, and it is difficult for them to stay focused on any topic that does not tickle their imagination. Inspire your kids to use their imagination to its full advantage, and help them explore ideas they are most interested in.

Pay attention to questions

One way of ensuring that your child has progressed into critical thinking is by paying attention to the kinds of questions they ask after learning something new. Encourage your kids to ask questions based on what they have learned, and over time, their questions will be less random and more strategic.

It might seem like an impossible task when you first begin teaching your kids critical thinking at an early age. However, the goal is the long-term result they will achieve. Use the tips listed here to ensure that your children stay on the right thinking path to prepare them for a more mentally tasking future.