How do you train children to be critical thinkers in an era of standardized testing?

Critical thinking has become a buzz word in education. It is the goal of learning to be able to analyze and evaluate decisions rather than just repeating facts and details. If we want our children to become problem solvers, designers, and quick thinkers, we need to provide opportunities to practice critical thinking skills. Here are a few suggestions to help reach the goal of becoming a “critical thinker”:

1. Ask open ended questions- ask questions that encourage children to respond critically without being afraid of giving the wrong answer. For example: “why do you think that?” or “how do you know?”

2. Categorize and classify- classification plays an important role in critical thinking because it requires identification and sorting according to a set of rules that kids must discover, understand, and apply. Make sure to follow-up with questions about the similarities and differences between groups. For example: sort and classify laundry, toys, Lego’s, food items into groups to show similar items and discuss how they are also different.

3. Work in groups- in a group setting, children have an opportunity to hear discussion from their peers. They begin to understand how others think and that there are multiple ways to approach problems, not just one way.

4. Make decisions- consider the pros and cons in a situation. Then evaluate the decision later. Ask your child “How do you feel about your decision? What will you do differently next time?” Don’t be afraid to let your child fail. He will be learning a life lesson in this experience.

5. Find patterns- encourage your child to look for patterns in everyday activities and to use critical thinking to relate to real life situations. For example: encourage him to look for different shapes in the road signs on the highway or to see the different shapes and sizes in windows on a building.

There’s been a shift toward teaching critical thinking, a skill that elevates thinking beyond memorization into the realm of analysis and logic. It is still important for your child to know the multiplication tables but it is just as vital for him to know how and when to use them—that’s “critical thinking”.