6 Essential Steps for Developing a Child Into a Critical Thinker

The process of critical thinking includes making decisions based on accurate analysis, facts and information. Skills like evaluation, inference, explanation, and interpretation are associated with it as the crux. And in this ever-changing world, this process of practical application is of utmost importance rather than just remembering information.

Therefore, to raise children that are active critical thinkers and not just mere readers of information, IB Schools in Mumbai recommend every parent to boost their child’s ability of reasoning and questioning, so they don’t just accept things at face value.

Adhering to the fact that budding children have the capacity of absorbing knowledge faster, CPGIS, the Best International School in Mumbai emphasises their critical thinking quotient from an early age. Listed below are the tips that you need to follow for effectively raising a critical thinker.

Encourage “How” & “Why” instead of “What”

Discovering the depth of a certain topic is more important than just knowing its definition. It is necessary for children to know the pillars of the subject to understand its causes and effects better than just having a false sense of knowledge and bare facts. For example, learning the definition of photosynthesis is not enough.It is vital to learn why the process is conducted and what is its effect onhumans?

Intervene essentially and not unnecessarily

In order to escalate critical thinking skills in a child, it is necessary to give them the space to self-evaluate and analyse for an authentic conclusion. This way, they will learn to understand the problem and think of possible solutions. You must provide them with basic information and let them draw their own outcomes after face the challenge efficiently. Intervening only at times will then prove to be beneficial.

Share your thought process with the child

There may be times when the child will get stuck on a certain point and face extreme difficulty to cope with it. However, to help them pass through it, you can share your thought process and way of decision making. Knowing that the children observe their elders, your way of thinking will guide them to navigate through the problem smoothly.

Ask them to develop a hypothesis each time

Developing a hypothesis can be really directive while analysing problems to make a decision. Imparting this skill in every procedure will not only help children know the next outcomes but also make informed decisions for themselves with an adequate gain of knowledge. With each passing step, ask them what can happen next and you will understand the thought process of your child better with completing the hypothesis.

Keep up with follow-up questions

During the time when your child is layering the problem, ask him or her questions like“how do you know this?” or encourage them by saying“that’s interesting, tell me more”. This will not only level up their confidence but also make them passionate about solving it further with a sense of value and acceptance. It is the most approachable way of reinforcing the concepts.

Help them accept different views

Every problem is multi-façade. Nevertheless, acceptance of varieties can help one reach the ultimate answer. Accepting that a single problem can have various perspectives from various people will eradicate future hurdles and boost the creative quotient in problem-solving. For this, ask them questions with variables like if there is a climate change in one country, how will it affect people living in another country?

Also Read : https://www.cpgoenkainternationalschool.com/blog/5-behavioural-issues-and-their-ideal-solutions-unlocked

The Best International School in Mumbai believes that giving learners the freedom of making choices based on their beginnings is the only way to bring out a critical thinker in them. Hence, parents need to introduce their children to an independent thought process, which is integral to developing their critical thinking skills in the long run.