Any caregiver at a Rockville day care will tell you that all kids are naturally curious. You might not realize, though, that being naturally curious helps them learn to think critically. To think critically, one must take in knowledge, think about it, and make decisions about it. Children’s brains become like little libraries as they absorb new knowledge. With this new knowledge, children must figure out how it affects what they already know and if it changes what they think.
Critical thinking means looking at the facts and then weighing that information. After looking at all sides you work on finding solutions to issues in a logical way. Kids need critical thinking skills as it it can assist them in all parts of their lives, from school to work to bonds with other people. Once they can think critically, kids will be able to make good decisions, find problems, come up with solutions, and sort through reliable knowledge that they need to learn on their own.
The information and experiences kids gain from interacting with adults and other kids at home and Rockville daycare are two of the most significant factors influencing critical thinking skills. Kids also develop critical thinking skills when they are allowed to explore the world around them.
Looking for new activities to try when teaching critical thinking skills? Want them to develop these skills without even realizing they are learning?
Kids should be encouraged to wonder about the world around them. From wondering why the sky is blue to how plants grow, the best thing you can do is get kids interested in learning about something. The deeper they dig into a subject, the better, as it allows them to view all sides of things before forming their opinion.
Some parents call this the “why” phase because kids always ask why. Rather than dread this phase, welcome it as a way to encourage critical thinking. Help them come up with and test various ideas on a range of subjects. Parents also need to question their kids. The more questions you ask them the better. Asking your kids lots of open ended questions helps them figure out if they need to do things differently to achieve better results.
A great way to help your child develop critical thinking skills is to let them share their feelings through art. Creating things, whether it’s painting, drawing, or playing with clay, allows kids to use their imagination.
While some kids might find art enjoyable, others won’t. However, using their imagination and creating artistic pieces forces kids to think outside the box, allowing them to see solutions and ideas others might not.
close up of arts and crafts using leaves and paint to develop critical thinking in preschoolers.
Playing puzzles or games like Monopoly, Connect 4, Shoots and Ladders, and many more will help your child develop critical thinking abilities. Through puzzles and brainteasers, your kid gradually gains the ability to create strategies and comprehend the principles of game theory until these abilities come naturally to them.
Help your child assemble the puzzles or play the board game with them. If you let your child play with these puzzles alone, it may seem difficult and unenjoyable. When you and your child sit down and play together, not only are you spending quality time together, you are helping make learning fun.
Think of an age-appropriate problem and ask the kids to come up with ways to solve it. Have them pretend to be the person responsible for solving these kinds of issues. Parents must be involved in role-playing, as it’s the only way to ask kids questions about how they would respond to the various problems. When you use role-playing to teach critical thinking skills, you are also helping children become more aware of their surroundings. Role-playing is not just for developing critical thinking skills; it also improves a child’s social skills.
Many parents aren’t aware of how useful building blocks are. Sure, they help with fine motor skills, but they also encourage children to use their imagination and use problem-solving skills. Your child can let their imagination run wild because there are many options in building. Your child actively fires those neurons as they transform their fantasies into reality, whether it is through dinosaurs, structures, spacecraft, or model homes. As they build, they must figure out what block will work best for what they are trying to build. Sometimes, they will make the wrong choice, but through trial and error, they will find the solution.
Are your kids a little bit older or losing interest in building blocks? If so, you can play Minecraft with them and get the same amazing results.
Have creative storytelling sessions where your child can help with the storyline. Throughout the narrative, pause randomly to ask them questions about the characters, what they anticipate happening next, and the reasons for their predictions. Find out from them how they think the narrative will end.
Asking open-ended and spontaneous questions encourages your youngster to think critically and logically. And you never know; their responses might even take you by surprise! Give them lots of encouragement, open-ended questions, and time to think of a brilliant response. Storytelling sparks kids’ imaginations and gets them thinking about sequencing, cause and effect, and problem-solving.
If you want your child to be able to think for themselves rather than blindly follow the crowd, they must learn how to think critically. Without critical thinking skills, kids will struggle to keep up in the world today, as everything is constantly changing. Critical thinking skills allow children to sort through all of the information and make their own decisions about things. Kids need to learn how to think for themselves more than ever in a world full of fake news and false information.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.