Have you noticed that some people, including children for that matter, spend more time taking a decision than most? Some people take more time than others to make a choice even when it’s to answer simple questions such as what food they would like.
The reason this happens is that they spend time analysing the question and try to make their way through the most optimum solution by using their critical thinking skills.
Critical thinking is an important part of life. Most adults with exceptional problem-solving skills have to face fewer problems in their lives. Therefore, training your child to think more critically is important as it will help them in life.
Some say this comes naturally to a person, implying that it’s a skill that cannot be acquired. However, experts have worked out ways in which you can drive your child towards critical thinking.
Here are some of them.
1. Ask a lot of questions
When offering your child a beverage, give them options. Ask if they’d like milk, juice, lemonade, or just water. Follow the question by asking how much sugar or any other ingredient they would like. Ask them the colour of the mug they would prefer.
This is an interesting strategy to give your child the authority to make decisions. They start to feel like they are in charge. The next time when you offer a beverage, they are sure to think more carefully about what they want to drink, thus instigating a sense of critical thinking in them.
2. Teach scepticism
There is a fine line between sceptical thinking and cynicism. A lot of times, parents go overboard while trying to burst their child’s bubble, unknowingly turning them into pessimists.
Ask your child to question the existence of Santa by giving them clues. But, at the same time, do not take the holiday spirit away from th