Critical thinking is described as a process of learning that involves conceptualization, applications, analysis, synthesis and evaluation of information that allows one reach a conclusion. Though the definition my seem a bit too logical, simply put, critical thinking can be described as learning through a series of questions, research and evidences.
“Critical Thinking has the potential to be a deeply creative process” - Pearl Zhu
A research suggests that approximate 64% individuals feel that critical skills are very important for career success and are a prerequisite for worthwhile employment. According to a survey 80% of adults feel that schools should be teaching critical thinking skills to students.
Schools having realized the importance of critical skills in children have designed their methodologies in a way as to promote critical skills. British schools in Dubai promote learning of critical skills by implementing play based learning and the use of laboratories to allow children to learn through experiments. The following few tips highlight how critical thinking can be incorporated into children’s learning:
Encourage curiosity
As a parent, your child should be curious about things. Try to engage them in the formation of theories, experiments to prove their theories and to understand results. Your child should be able to explore and ask questions, think about results critically and should be able to assess how to do things differently to get different results
Help them evaluate information
Often too much information tends to confuse us. However it is essential that this information be evaluated to determine its authenticity. For adults this should be a norm as much as for kids. Children should be taught to research the source of the information, how it complements the information they already know and whether or not it should be considered.
Provide play based learning
An important exercise to promote critical thinking involves, promotion of learning opportunities through play based learning and open ended questions. By providing play based learning opportunities, your child is allowed to ask open ended questions such as “what happens if I drop two different sized balls of a table “. Hands on, practical learning is an essential part of leaning critical skills.
Promote problem solving in children
Critical thinking is required to understand problems. Teaching children the steps to problem in an attempt to come up with solutions for their problems will allow them to use critical thinking during their search for the answers.
Learning through children’s interests
You might have wondered how your child learns the names of all the different trucks toys that hey own. It’s usually because children tend to learn more when it’s about something they’re interested in. So in order to incorporate critical thinking into their every day routines, promote learning about their interests through different resources and questions.
Encourage learning from other sources
As a response to their “whys” help them research other books and resources. The internet, books, and learned individuals should be their “g o-to “. This allows them to seek help from other resources incase they’re stuck and can’t find the answers to a question in their mind.
Take away
Since schools are credited for most of the child’s learning, opt for a school that has a curriculum designed to get your child’s brain thinking!. British schools in Dubai have a curriculum that’s designed to engage students in critical thinking with complete examinations have been dedicated to the idea of critical thinking.
Learning of critical skills should not only be a part of school curricula. Parents can work with their kids to enhance their critical thinking abilities by incorporating little changes in the child’s way and style of learning.
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