Page 23 - Education Supplement August Edition 2023

Understanding Critical Thinking Need some Help?
Critical thinking may seem like a vague, Developing critical thinking isn’t confined to your home. Schools and the wider community
complicated educational buzzword, but play a pivotal role too. Engage with your child’s school and community groups to ensure a
it isn’t. It’s about assessing, analysing, consistent focus on nurturing these skills. Teaching our children to think critically is not a
interpreting, and drawing reasoned luxury; it’s a necessity. Embrace this journey, tap into the available resources, and watch your
conclusions from daily information. It’s a children grow into confident, independent thinkers ready to make their mark on the world.
life skill that extends beyond acing exams,
influencing how our children perceive the Here are some other resources that can help you along the way:
world around them and engage with it.
BOOKS
Teaching children how to think critically, n Critical Thinking: The Playbook by Dr. Kwame M. Brown
question everything, and evaluate the This is a comprehensive and accessible guidebook for parents and teachers who want
source is more crucial now than ever. to help their children develop critical thinking skills.
n The Fallacy Detective: Thirty-Eight Lessons on How to Recognize Bad Reasoning by
Parents, you are your child’s first and Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn
most influential teachers. The intellectual This fun and interactive book teaches children how to identify common logical fallacies.
environment you create at home n How to Think Critically: A Concise Guide by Jeff McLaughlin
significantly influences your child’s A bit more advanced, suitable for teenagers.
cognitive development. n Mind Benders: Deductive Thinking Skills by Anita Harnadek
A series of workbooks with puzzles designed to improve critical thinking skills.

Fostering critical thinking at home
might seem daunting, but here are APPS
some practical tools to help: n Thinkrolls: Kings & Queens
This logic puzzle game encourages children to use their critical thinking skills.
Available on the App Store and Google Play Store.
Encourage Curiosity
Spark their interest by asking thought- n Mystery Math Town
provoking questions. Encourage them This app provides math problems within a fun and engaging game, which promotes
to remain open-minded and explore logical thinking and problem-solving. Available on the App Store.
different possibilities. n Brain It On!
A physics puzzle game that challenges kids to solve each level in various ways,
encouraging creative thinking. Available on the App Store and Google Play Store.
Promote Problem-Solving
Allow them the freedom to brainstorm WEBSITES
solutions to their problems. This fosters
creativity and a sense of independence. n BrainPOP
A website that provides animated movies on topics in math, science, social studies,
English, art, music, and health, which can stimulate critical thinking.
Incorporate Reflective Thinking
Encourage post-activity reflections. n Khan Academy
Offers a wide array of topics in video format that can prompt critical thinking

Discuss what worked and what could
have been done better. discussions.
n NASA’s Kid’s Club
Features games and information on space topics that promote critical thinking.
Make Reading a Habit
Encourage a broad range of reading GAMES
topics to help them explore different n Chess
perspectives and broaden their The classic strategy game can help develop critical thinking and strategic thinking skills.
horizons.
n Rush Hour
A popular logic game where players have to move cars around a grid to get a specific
Cultivate Resilience car out of traffic.
Teach them that it’s okay to make n Clue
mistakes. What’s more important is This classic board game helps develop deductive reasoning skills.
what they learn from them.
n Settlers of Catan
This strategic resource management game can help develop decision-making and
planning skills.

Remember, asking open-ended questions and encouraging curiosity
is the key to teaching critical thinking. Practice patience and listen to
your child’s ideas to support their critical thinking development.

Education | August 2023 | 21