Helping Your Child Develop Critical Thinking Skills

What is critical thinking? It’s perhaps best described as those of us who have the ability to learn actively rather than passively. Critical thinkers question facts and ideas before they accept them. They do not blindly listen to ideas or instructions without first considering all of the options. 

Critical thinkers are not afraid of failure because they already understand that failure is simply part of a process. Nothing can be truly improved without mistakes being made in the effort.

For parents of toddlers and younger children this might mean quashing your natural instincts to make your life a bit easier! Here’s an example: 

Your three year old wants to pour their own juice. You already know that the jug is too heavy for them and that they’re clumsy so you’re not keen. But what you need to do is make their learning experience parent-friendly so that damage is limited. So rather than “no, I’ll do it for you”, try “Ok, let’s just put down this plastic cloth and give you a jug you can lift”

Allowing your child to fail safely is vital for their growing self-confidence and for their curiosity. Once your toddler sees that they need to pour very carefully, they will work on improving their skills in this area - and most want to do it immediately! So you may have to watch a lot of juice being poured!

Whether it’s a minor problem “I can’t make this block balance” or a major problem, “I have fallen out with my friend!” it is important to allow your child to try out different fixes for their issues. Ask them what they think they might do to remedy the situation? They might surprise you!

Always encourage your child to ask questions, to think ‘what if?” when faced with a dilemma and to discuss problems with trusted teachers, friends or associates. Here are some good questions to ask in various situations: 

What if you did X? 

Why do you think that? 

What would you do in this situation? 

Is there something you think you could have done differently? 

What other ways might work? 

Children are sensitive. Remember to embrace failure as part of the learning process. If your child fears ‘getting things wrong’ then they will be loathe to try new methods of working or even new activities.

This prep school in Kent fosters a warm, friendly environment in which children feel safe to learn at their own pace and with freedom combined with routine and discipline. Always a great combination for learning.