The Importance of Teaching Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the clear, rational analysis used to formulate judgment of an issue. When teaching critical thinking skills, educators are directly encouraging a more open thought processes while leaving the material open for discussion with the student. Educators are responsible for building the foundation needed for developing critical thinking skills in K-12 children, as these skills are necessary throughout their entire lives.

Calvary Lutheran School emphasizes critical thinking and faith-based learning in its classrooms. You can schedule a tour to learn more about what we can do for your child.

Let’s talk about what learning critical thinking means for your little one:

Critical thinking helps develop reading, science, and math skills

Reading critically involves slowing down and reflecting on what has been read. This allows the child to view the subject matter between the lines and create their own interpretations of the reading. Questions will naturally arise in the child’s mind, such as: “How does the character’s actions affect the plot?” and “How is the book’s setting important to the overall message?” These questions will engage the child in critical thinking processes to further understand the material.

Mathematical problem solving involves the child’s ability to make reasoned judgments about what to do and think. The student will be tasked with critically thinking about the given mathematics problem, and coming up with a solution. The student will also have to analyze their own solution and validate it.

The process of scientific analysis is taught at a young age and includes hypothesizing, experimentation, and drawing conclusions from the results. Hypothesizing is based entirely on questions and observations that are drawn from the critical thinking process. After the hypothesis is established, the student will create and experiment with variables. Then, conclusions will be drawn that the student will have to decipher the validity of the results. The critical thinking process is displayed throughout the entirety of scientific analysis.

Teaching critical thinking helps kids solve everyday problems

As adults, we use our critical thinking skills every day to solve problems. We often identify the problem, analyze it from different angles, and then brainstorm solutions. It is important to teach children these processes as early as possible, so they can replicate this process into adolescence and adulthood. Children will be exposed to physical challenges as well as social relationship issues that need to be approached analytically.

Critical thinking enables children to view themselves as problem solvers
It is important to not provide the answer to a child’s problem, or question, right away. Teachers are in a unique position where they can ask the child specific questions to gauge their understanding of the problem. Providing the child with enough information to draw its own conclusions, without providing a solution, will help hope their critical thinking ability. When a child views itself as a problem solver, they will gain the confidence to approach issues in different ways.

Calvary Lutheran School emphasizes the importance of teaching critical thinking skills to today’s youth. We focus on nurturing children academically, spiritually, physically, emotionally and socially. Would you like to learn more about Calvary Lutheran School and what it has to offer your child? Schedule a tour today!