How to Promote Critical Thinking Skills in Preschoolers and Elementary Students
Childhood is a brief but highly significant period in a person's life. It is during childhood that we start to make sense of the world, learn to interact with it, and discover and develop our abilities. From the earliest years, it is vital to teach children critical thinking—that is, to form their own opinions and make informed decisions based on the information they receive.Within reasonable limits, the ability to question and examine everything a child is taught is a valuable skill, especially today, when so much information is contradictory. This skill will only become more important in the future.
Advice:
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What is needed to master critical thinking?
To learn to think critically, a child must develop a variety of skills:
- Gathering information
Teach your child how to search for and collect data from various sources, and help them understand where to find answers to their questions—whether by asking an adult, consulting an encyclopedia, or searching the internet. - Evaluating facts
Obtaining data is just the first step; it is equally important to objectively evaluate it, verify the truthfulness of claims, hypotheses, opinions, and viewpoints. - Drawing conclusions
Information should be processed to draw conclusions such as: “There are five oceans in the world,” or “I didn’t know that Lake Baikal is the deepest and largest lake until I read about it in the encyclopedia.” - Forming an individual opinion
After doing this mental work, the child forms their own attitude toward what they have learned: “At first, I thought my mom wanted me to wear a hat in winter just because she said so. Now I understand she wants to protect my health, since going outside without a hat can cause frostbite or lower immunity. I will always wear a hat when it is cold outside.” Encourage your child to think logically from a young age. Try to reason openly in front of your child, explain your opinions, and teach your child how to use “if ... then ...” statements.
- Create a trustworthy environment
Children need to know their opinions are valued. Encourage them to participate in family decisions and teach them to ask questions of adults—such as doctors and teachers—without fear of looking silly to others.
Praise your child for their curiosity, pause other tasks to keep the conversation going, and show appreciation for their thoughts. If you feel your child has drawn an incorrect conclusion, don’t directly contradict them; ask instead if they have considered other viewpoints. - Challenge them
Sometimes children just want an answer, but it can be useful to respond with another question. For example, if your six-year-old asks, “Why don’t you buy me a toy gun?” you could launch into a discussion on gun control, but it’s better to ask them why they think such toys are restricted. Listen to their reasoning, and help shape the conversation. Guide them to realize they can answer their own questions and form their own opinions.
Discourage answers like, “because I want it” or “because I like it,” especially when reasoning through a topic. Prompt your child to find real reasons. Don’t push for fully reasoned arguments right away; instead, help them by asking thoughtful questions. - Expose them to new experiences
Broaden your child’s horizons by introducing them to new places and ideas. Bring them to your workplace and explain your profession in simple terms. Avoid overwhelming them with complex details, but help them understand what you do and why it matters.
Look for opportunities to show diversity, such as through books and TV shows. If your child notices someone who looks different or has a disability, encourage open discussion instead of avoiding the topic. Help them ask questions respectfully and explore answers together. - Support intellectual and emotional development
Critical thinking and discussions can be emotionally taxing. Asking the right questions and encouraging independent answers is essential but recognize when children are too tired or overwhelmed. Be sensitive to their emotions, and sometimes simply help them find a solution.
If your child faces a tough question, help them recognize their feelings: “Do you feel confused? If you want, we can take a break and talk later.” Acknowledge your own emotions, too: “It’s not easy to figure this out. Sometimes I struggle to decide as well, but I know it helps to take time to think.” - Encourage healthy doubt
If your child doubts something or questions facts, this is a good sign! It means they want to understand and are eager to learn. If your child identifies mistakes in reasoning and asks many questions, you are nurturing an intelligent and curious thinker. Teach them to gather complete information before jumping to conclusions and to analyze and reflect after making mistakes. - Ask thoughtful questions
Listen carefully to your child’s statements and conclusions, even on small matters. To develop critical thinking, ask questions such as: “Why do you disagree?”, “What do you think?”, “Why do you think so?”, “What led you to that decision?”
Encourage your child to think, discuss, and explain their reasoning, as well as to ask follow-up questions. Teach them to gather all information before drawing conclusions, and to avoid criticizing things they don’t understand. Help them develop the habit of objective judgment. - Teach your child to reason aloud
Explore nature together—a logical system where the child can learn about cause and effect. For example, “Why are there puddles on the road?” “Because it rained.” “Why is there ice in the puddles?” “Because the temperature dropped, so the water froze.”
It is important for children to understand even delayed consequences of actions. For instance, if they want to eat two ice creams at once, help them think logically: “If we eat all the ice cream now, we might get a sore throat. If that happens, we can’t visit friends. Does it make sense to wait and eat less?” - Stimulate curiosity
Between ages three and five, children are “why” experts—constantly asking questions. It’s crucial to encourage their curiosity and desire to seek answers.
At the same time, maintain a balance: don’t overload your child with information or complex concepts that discourage their curiosity. Motivate them to look for answers independently. This lays the foundation for developing critical thinking skills, which do not develop on their own. - The “3D Principle”
To develop a well-rounded opinion, gather as much information as possible. Ask questions and try to understand others’ motives. Explain to your child why different people behave in various ways so they can see problems from multiple perspectives: “When you waited for your friend at the bus stop and he didn’t arrive, you felt upset. You were so hurt you didn’t want to listen to his reasons. But only after listening to him can you draw conclusions and avoid future misunderstandings.” - Avoid being a know-it-all
Don’t be afraid to admit what you don’t know: “I don’t know the answer. Let’s find out together,” or “I can’t answer right now—ask me later and I’ll think about it.”
This may be challenging for those raised in traditional families where elders’ opinions are considered absolute truths. Parents should see their child’s curiosity as a way to experience the world’s diversity, grow closer, and discover new things together.