Critical thinking is an essential skill for children to learn. As parents and educators, we want children to understand the world, how things are connected, learn to filter constructs through the lens of Scripture, how to solve problems, and use information in meaningful ways. The process is not difficult, but it must be cultivated. By listening, asking good questions, probing for answers, and dialoguing with children, parents and teachers can help children learn to problem solve and develop critical thinking skills.
LISTEN
First, listen to the interests of the child.
What is the child curious about? What does the child want to know? What is the child interested in learning? Let inquiry lead discovery and discussion.
Listen and give children time to response.
Don’t rush to answer the question or find a solution. Instead, give your child time to think about the answer or problem. Listen to their ideas and explanations. Walk them through the solution by asking probing questions.
Show respect for their responses.
In addition to waiting for responses, provide positive feedback and encourage their thinking process. For example, “That is an interesting way of looking at it.” “Can you tell me more about what you think will happen?”
ASK GOOD QUESTIONS
Encourage why questions and curiosity.
Encourage exploration and discovery. Allow children to hypothesize and test their theories. Ask questions to help them think of possible answers: Why don’t we throw things in the house? Why do birds build their nest in a tree? What do you think will happen if we do this? What are some other things we could try? Make the most of their curiosity. Let discovery be led by their inquiry. Give just enough information to feed their questions. Don’t overwhelm them with too much information.
Teach problem-solving skills.
Problem-solving skills are taught through evaluating, asking questions that require higher level thinking, contrasting, comparing, analyzing, and dialogue. Asking these questions may be helpful: “What is the problem?” “What are some solutions?” “What will happen if…?” “Is there a better solution?”
PROBE
Use resources to find answers.
The Bible, museums, library, television, the Internet, books, friends, and family are all resources for finding answers to children’s questions. You can also find answers by observing or broadening experiences. For example, visiting a construction site or a local business, may help a child connect information about a specific job, piece of equipment, or procedure, that is useful in answering questions or explaining a solution.
Evaluate the source of information.
How reliable is the source of information about a topic of interest? Is there bias in the information? It is opinion or fact? Is it informative or intended to persuade? How does the information align with a biblical worldview? Is the information true or false? How do you know?
DIALOGUE
Further the child’s interests.
Children are especially engaged and ready for information and discourse when they have initiated the questions or are invested in the topic. Letting them choose their science fair project topic or biography to read for history is better than assigning it.
Model critical thinking.
Verbalize your own thought process in forming your opinion or solution to a problem. This helps the child learn to develop the process for themselves. This should be done in conjunction with the other ideas for developing critical thinking skills. Lead the child through the process rather than provide the answer.
Learn to filter through the lens of Scripture.
Making the connection between cultural philosophy and biblical thinking requires not only an understanding of Scripture, but the ability to think critically about how belief systems oppose or support one another. Dialogue and probing are necessary to help the child develop and communicate a biblical worldview.
CATALYSTS FOR DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING
Use dinner time to discuss current events and news topics with children.
Choose topics that are relevant to your child.
Compare and contrast items and ideas.
For younger children, compare or contrast objects, like a cat and dog, spoon and fork, or book and newspaper. How are the items similar? How are they different? If you could only use a spoon or fork, which would you choose? Why? Children can also compare ideas. Should children wear masks in school? What reasons are there for wearing masks? What reasons are there for not wearing masks? Who should be involved in that decision?
Play family games that develop thinking skills.
The game Guess Who requires the players to identify one specific character by eliminating other possibilities. This is done by asking good questions. “Does the person have facial hair?” is better than “Does the person have a beard?” Children learn to ask questions to narrow the search for the chosen character.
Twenty Questions is a game to identify a person, place, or thing by asking less than 20 questions. Create your own version based on the age of your children. This is a fun dinner table game that can be played as a family or in teams. Each team in turn, thinks of an animal, fruit, or vegetable. The other teams can only ask the designated number of questions to identify the item for the win. Play just one round or keep score to find a winner after two or more rounds.
Play strategy games.
Similarly, Risk, Jenga, card games, chess, checkers, and other board games can be used to teach critical thinking. Explain your reasoning to a child when you make a move, so they can learn to think critically. Caution against certain moves that are attempted thoughtlessly. Predict the result of moves to help them see outcomes.
Pause the television.
Stop the show or movie to ask, “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why do you think he/she did that?” Some children (and spouses) may frown on this idea, but it can be fruitful in developing critical thinking skills. Give some warning that the show may be paused at some point to ask questions. Alternatively, questions could be asked after the show to evaluate the characters or plot.
Puzzles, riddles, and mysteries can help develop critical thinking.
Working with tangrams, puzzles, and other spatial objects requires problem-solving. Solving riddles and finding the solution to a mystery are also fun ways to develop critical thinking. Mysteries could come in the form of a book, a television show, an escape room, or board game.
Read a book together.
Furthermore, good literature is an endless source for developing critical thinking skills if you ask lots of good questions and discuss various aspects of the characters and plot. What lessons can be learned from the book? Who was the favorite character and why? What godly traits were evident in the characters?
THE RESULT OF GOOD QUESTIONS, PROBING AND DIALOGUE
A news clip of UF students being asked about diversity allocations is a perfect example of the thinking and problem-solving process. The reporter begins with questions, listens, asks follow-up questions, probes for more information, and contrasts their own conflicting views. It is interesting to watch the process unfold and see how the students come to the realization that their original assumptions were not consistent with where the conversation took them.
As Christian parents we want our children to understand the importance of using Scripture to evaluate the ideas and beliefs of our culture. It is through questions and discussion that children sharpen their thinking skills and establish a worldview. Because this is true, purposeful interaction is essential. Intentional conversation and training provide the skills to better understand God and His purposes.
Critical thinking skills are developed through discovery, inquiry, and discussion. Parents and educators are in the best position to foster and support children in this process. Listening, asking good questions, probing for answers, and dialoguing, will bear the fruit of good critical thinking. So encourage your child to – Think! Think! Think!