It is important to be aware of the impact of both the parenting style that we choose at home and the educational style that is imposed at the school where our child is enrolled. On many occasions, unfortunately, critical thinking is not something that is promoted and this has a strong impact on children’s development.
In order to stimulate critical thinking in our children, we must first understand well what it is about. That is the first point we develop in this article. Next we will talk about the benefits that this brings to our children. Likewise, we will explain some strategies and activities that can help us promote critical thinking.
There are many definitions that we can find throughout history in relation to this idea since it is something that has served as a focus of work for many authors. In a simple way, we could say that Critical thinking refers to the ability to analyze situations, use logic and evaluate the consistency of reasoning..
In this sense, critical thinking allows children to evaluate, analyze and reflect on the information they obtain in books, the media, videos, etc. Based on this analysis and, through the use of logic, it is expected that they can make informed decisions and act consistently.
It is important to understand that critical thinking helps make informed decisions, enhances problem solving and also encourages them to question what surrounds them or the information they receive.. All of this is essential for a child to enjoy optimal development and mental well-being.
We cannot forget that we live in the digital age in which information is very accessible to all people. However, we have so much information that, on many occasions, we receive content that is not real and can even be harmful. Therefore, it is especially important that we stimulate critical thinking in our children.
What does critical thinking contribute to my child’s development?
Some of the benefits obtained from having the ability to think and analyze our environment critically and logically have already been briefly mentioned. The main contributions with which critical thinking can enrich our children throughout their lives are mentioned in more detail below.
1. Cognitive development
When we invite our children to reflect on the things that surround them and the information that comes to them, we are inviting them to develop their curiosity and their capacity for reflection, among other mental skills. Thus, it is a way to enhance their cognitive development.
2. Decision making
As we have mentioned, critical thinking encourages informed and responsible decision-making. When obtaining information, they can analyze, compare and contrast it with other data they already have or even ask the questions they need.. Finally, you will make the decisions that you consider most appropriate.
3. Personal security
By encouraging critical thinking in our children, we are also laying the foundations for them to have good self-esteem and self-confidence. If we encourage them to ask questions, reflect and make decisions to the best of their ability, we are also promoting their autonomy and confidence.
With critical thinking other skills are developed such as empathy, curiosity, self-criticism, self-correction and cognitive flexibility. All of this, without a doubt, helps you improve your social skills.
Strategies to promote critical thinking at home
As parents, our role in the development of our children’s critical thinking is crucial. Below are the main points that will help us promote this skill in the little ones in the house:
Recommended activities and aspects to avoid to stimulate critical thinking
In order to carry out what was stated in the previous paragraph, we can help ourselves with some specific activities. For example, promote the reading of books that invite reflection due to their content. It’s interesting that we talk about what you’ve read and encourage respectful debate. Along these same lines, the space for respectful dialogue can be encouraged in the form of debate in the family environment. The objective of this proposal is for our children to learn to value and defend their positions and ideas in an assertive and reasoned way..
Other activities that can be helpful in this sense are logic and strategy games, for example. In the same way, we can propose activities in which children create things (stories, drawings, constructions) and must make decisions in order to solve problems. Finally, it is interesting to take into account some behaviors that it is better for adults to avoid if we want to encourage critical thinking. Sometimes it can be really difficult, but we must try not to answer all their questions immediately, this will increase their capacity for searching and reflection.
Besides, We must avoid imposing our ideas or beliefs to encourage them to develop their own. Following this idea, we must try to avoid overprotection. That is to say, it is enriching for our children to face intellectual challenges and challenges, as long as they are appropriate for their age.
