developing critical thinking skills in young learners

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4 Strategies for Sparking Critical Thinking in Young Students

Fostering investigative conversation in grades K–2 isn’t easy, but it can be a great vehicle to promote critical thinking.

In the middle of class, a kindergartner spotted an ant and asked the teacher, “Why do ants come into the classroom?” Fairly quickly, educational consultant Cecilia Cabrera Martirena writes , students started sharing their theories: Maybe the ants were cold, or looking for food, or lonely. 

Their teacher started a KWL chart to organize what students already knew, what they wanted to know, and, later, what they had learned. “As many of the learners didn’t read or write yet, the KWL was created with drawings and one or two words,” Cabrera Martirena writes. “Then, as a group, they decided how they could gather information to answer that first question, and some possible research routes were designed.” 

As early elementary teachers know, young learners are able to engage in critical thinking and participate in nuanced conversations, with appropriate supports. What can teachers do to foster these discussions? Elementary teacher Jennifer Orr considered a few ideas in an article for ASCD .

“An interesting question and the discussion that follows can open up paths of critical thinking for students at any age,” Orr says. “With a few thoughtful prompts and a lot of noticing and modeling, we as educators can help young students engage in these types of academic conversations in ways that deepen their learning and develop their critical thinking skills.”

While this may not be an “easy process,” Orr writes—for the kids or the teacher—the payoff is students who from a young age are able to communicate new ideas and questions; listen and truly hear the thoughts of others; respectfully agree, disagree, or build off of their peers’ opinions; and revise their thinking. 

4 Strategies for Kick-Starting Powerful Conversations

1. Encourage Friendly Debate: For many elementary-aged children, it doesn’t take much provoking for them to share their opinions, especially if they disagree with each other. Working with open-ended prompts that “engage their interest and pique their curiosity” is one key to sparking organic engagement, Orr writes. Look for prompts that allow them to take a stance, arguing for or against something they feel strongly about. 

For example, Orr says, you could try telling first graders that a square is a rectangle to start a debate. Early childhood educator Sarah Griffin proposes some great math talk questions that can yield similar results:

• How many crayons can fit in a box?
• Which takes more snow to build: one igloo or 20 snowballs?
• Estimate how many tissues are in a box.
• How many books can you fit in your backpack?
• Which would take less time: cleaning your room or reading a book?
• Which would you rather use to measure a Christmas tree: a roll of ribbon or a candy cane? Why?

Using pictures can inspire interesting math discussions as well, writes K–6 math coach Kristen Acosta . Explore counting, addition, and subtraction by introducing kids to pictures “that have missing pieces or spaces” or “pictures where the objects are scattered.” For example, try showing students a photo of a carton of eggs with a few eggs missing. Ask questions like, “what do you notice?” and “what do you wonder?” and see how opinions differ.

2. Put Your Students in the Question: Centering students’ viewpoints in a question or discussion prompt can foster deeper thinking, Orr writes. During a unit in which kids learned about ladybugs, she asked her third graders, “What are four living and four nonliving things you would need and want if you were designing your own ecosystem?” This not only required students to analyze the components of an ecosystem but also made the lesson personal by inviting them to dream one up from scratch.

Educator Todd Finley has a list of interesting writing prompts for different grades that can instead be used to kick off classroom discussions. Examples for early elementary students include: 

• Which is better, giant muscles or incredible speed? Why?
• What’s the most beautiful person, place, or thing you’ve ever seen? Share what makes that person, place, or thing so special. 
• What TV or movie characters do you wish were real? Why? 
• Describe a routine that you often or always do (in the morning, when you get home, Friday nights, before a game, etc.).
• What are examples of things you want versus things you need? 

3. Open Several Doors: While some students take to classroom discussions like a duck to water, others may prefer to stay on dry land. Offering low-stakes opportunities for students to dip a toe into the conversation can be a great way to ensure that everyone in the room can be heard. Try introducing hand signals that indicate agreement, disagreement, and more. Since everyone can indicate their opinion silently, this supports students who are reluctant to speak, and can help get the conversation started. 

Similarly, elementary school teacher Raquel Linares uses participation cards —a set of different colored index cards, each labeled with a phrase like “I agree,” “I disagree,” or “I don’t know how to respond.” “We use them to assess students’ understanding, but we also use them to give students a voice,” Linares says. “We obviously cannot have 24 scholars speaking at the same time, but we want everyone to feel their ideas matter. Even if I am very shy and I don’t feel comfortable, my voice is still heard.” Once the students have held up the appropriate card, the discussion gets going.

4. Provide Discussion Sentence Starters: Young students often want to add their contribution without connecting it to what their peers have said, writes district-level literacy leader Gwen Blumberg . Keeping an ear out for what students are saying to each other is an important starting point when trying to “lift the level of talk” in your classroom. Are kids “putting thoughts into words and able to keep a conversation going?” she asks.

Introducing sentence starters like “I agree…” or “I feel differently…” can help demonstrate for students how they can connect what their classmate is saying to what they would like to say, which grows the conversation, Blumberg says. Phrases like “I’d like to add…” help students “build a bridge from someone else’s idea to their own.”

Additionally, “noticing and naming the positive things students are doing, both in their conversation skills and in the thinking they are demonstrating,” Orr writes, can shine a light for the class on what success looks like. Celebrating when students use these sentence stems correctly, for example, helps reinforce these behaviors.

“Students’ ability to clearly communicate with others in conversation is a critical literacy skill,” Blumberg writes, and teachers in grades K–2 can get students started on the path to developing this skill by harnessing their natural curiosity and modeling conversation moves.

Classroom Q&A

With larry ferlazzo.

In this EdWeek blog, an experiment in knowledge-gathering, Ferlazzo will address readers’ questions on classroom management, ELL instruction, lesson planning, and other issues facing teachers. Send your questions to [email protected]. Read more from this blog.

Eight Instructional Strategies for Promoting Critical Thinking

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(This is the first post in a three-part series.)

The new question-of-the-week is:

What is critical thinking and how can we integrate it into the classroom?

This three-part series will explore what critical thinking is, if it can be specifically taught and, if so, how can teachers do so in their classrooms.

Today’s guests are Dara Laws Savage, Patrick Brown, Meg Riordan, Ph.D., and Dr. PJ Caposey. Dara, Patrick, and Meg were also guests on my 10-minute BAM! Radio Show . You can also find a list of, and links to, previous shows here.

You might also be interested in The Best Resources On Teaching & Learning Critical Thinking In The Classroom .

Current Events

Dara Laws Savage is an English teacher at the Early College High School at Delaware State University, where she serves as a teacher and instructional coach and lead mentor. Dara has been teaching for 25 years (career preparation, English, photography, yearbook, newspaper, and graphic design) and has presented nationally on project-based learning and technology integration:

There is so much going on right now and there is an overload of information for us to process. Did you ever stop to think how our students are processing current events? They see news feeds, hear news reports, and scan photos and posts, but are they truly thinking about what they are hearing and seeing?

I tell my students that my job is not to give them answers but to teach them how to think about what they read and hear. So what is critical thinking and how can we integrate it into the classroom? There are just as many definitions of critical thinking as there are people trying to define it. However, the Critical Think Consortium focuses on the tools to create a thinking-based classroom rather than a definition: “Shape the climate to support thinking, create opportunities for thinking, build capacity to think, provide guidance to inform thinking.” Using these four criteria and pairing them with current events, teachers easily create learning spaces that thrive on thinking and keep students engaged.

One successful technique I use is the FIRE Write. Students are given a quote, a paragraph, an excerpt, or a photo from the headlines. Students are asked to F ocus and respond to the selection for three minutes. Next, students are asked to I dentify a phrase or section of the photo and write for two minutes. Third, students are asked to R eframe their response around a specific word, phrase, or section within their previous selection. Finally, students E xchange their thoughts with a classmate. Within the exchange, students also talk about how the selection connects to what we are covering in class.

There was a controversial Pepsi ad in 2017 involving Kylie Jenner and a protest with a police presence. The imagery in the photo was strikingly similar to a photo that went viral with a young lady standing opposite a police line. Using that image from a current event engaged my students and gave them the opportunity to critically think about events of the time.

Here are the two photos and a student response:

F - Focus on both photos and respond for three minutes

In the first picture, you see a strong and courageous black female, bravely standing in front of two officers in protest. She is risking her life to do so. Iesha Evans is simply proving to the world she does NOT mean less because she is black … and yet officers are there to stop her. She did not step down. In the picture below, you see Kendall Jenner handing a police officer a Pepsi. Maybe this wouldn’t be a big deal, except this was Pepsi’s weak, pathetic, and outrageous excuse of a commercial that belittles the whole movement of people fighting for their lives.

I - Identify a word or phrase, underline it, then write about it for two minutes

A white, privileged female in place of a fighting black woman was asking for trouble. A struggle we are continuously fighting every day, and they make a mockery of it. “I know what will work! Here Mr. Police Officer! Drink some Pepsi!” As if. Pepsi made a fool of themselves, and now their already dwindling fan base continues to ever shrink smaller.

R - Reframe your thoughts by choosing a different word, then write about that for one minute

You don’t know privilege until it’s gone. You don’t know privilege while it’s there—but you can and will be made accountable and aware. Don’t use it for evil. You are not stupid. Use it to do something. Kendall could’ve NOT done the commercial. Kendall could’ve released another commercial standing behind a black woman. Anything!

Exchange - Remember to discuss how this connects to our school song project and our previous discussions?

This connects two ways - 1) We want to convey a strong message. Be powerful. Show who we are. And Pepsi definitely tried. … Which leads to the second connection. 2) Not mess up and offend anyone, as had the one alma mater had been linked to black minstrels. We want to be amazing, but we have to be smart and careful and make sure we include everyone who goes to our school and everyone who may go to our school.

As a final step, students read and annotate the full article and compare it to their initial response.

Using current events and critical-thinking strategies like FIRE writing helps create a learning space where thinking is the goal rather than a score on a multiple-choice assessment. Critical-thinking skills can cross over to any of students’ other courses and into life outside the classroom. After all, we as teachers want to help the whole student be successful, and critical thinking is an important part of navigating life after they leave our classrooms.

‘Before-Explore-Explain’

Patrick Brown is the executive director of STEM and CTE for the Fort Zumwalt school district in Missouri and an experienced educator and author :

Planning for critical thinking focuses on teaching the most crucial science concepts, practices, and logical-thinking skills as well as the best use of instructional time. One way to ensure that lessons maintain a focus on critical thinking is to focus on the instructional sequence used to teach.

Explore-before-explain teaching is all about promoting critical thinking for learners to better prepare students for the reality of their world. What having an explore-before-explain mindset means is that in our planning, we prioritize giving students firsthand experiences with data, allow students to construct evidence-based claims that focus on conceptual understanding, and challenge students to discuss and think about the why behind phenomena.

Just think of the critical thinking that has to occur for students to construct a scientific claim. 1) They need the opportunity to collect data, analyze it, and determine how to make sense of what the data may mean. 2) With data in hand, students can begin thinking about the validity and reliability of their experience and information collected. 3) They can consider what differences, if any, they might have if they completed the investigation again. 4) They can scrutinize outlying data points for they may be an artifact of a true difference that merits further exploration of a misstep in the procedure, measuring device, or measurement. All of these intellectual activities help them form more robust understanding and are evidence of their critical thinking.

In explore-before-explain teaching, all of these hard critical-thinking tasks come before teacher explanations of content. Whether we use discovery experiences, problem-based learning, and or inquiry-based activities, strategies that are geared toward helping students construct understanding promote critical thinking because students learn content by doing the practices valued in the field to generate knowledge.

An Issue of Equity

Meg Riordan, Ph.D., is the chief learning officer at The Possible Project, an out-of-school program that collaborates with youth to build entrepreneurial skills and mindsets and provides pathways to careers and long-term economic prosperity. She has been in the field of education for over 25 years as a middle and high school teacher, school coach, college professor, regional director of N.Y.C. Outward Bound Schools, and director of external research with EL Education:

Although critical thinking often defies straightforward definition, most in the education field agree it consists of several components: reasoning, problem-solving, and decisionmaking, plus analysis and evaluation of information, such that multiple sides of an issue can be explored. It also includes dispositions and “the willingness to apply critical-thinking principles, rather than fall back on existing unexamined beliefs, or simply believe what you’re told by authority figures.”

Despite variation in definitions, critical thinking is nonetheless promoted as an essential outcome of students’ learning—we want to see students and adults demonstrate it across all fields, professions, and in their personal lives. Yet there is simultaneously a rationing of opportunities in schools for students of color, students from under-resourced communities, and other historically marginalized groups to deeply learn and practice critical thinking.

For example, many of our most underserved students often spend class time filling out worksheets, promoting high compliance but low engagement, inquiry, critical thinking, or creation of new ideas. At a time in our world when college and careers are critical for participation in society and the global, knowledge-based economy, far too many students struggle within classrooms and schools that reinforce low-expectations and inequity.

If educators aim to prepare all students for an ever-evolving marketplace and develop skills that will be valued no matter what tomorrow’s jobs are, then we must move critical thinking to the forefront of classroom experiences. And educators must design learning to cultivate it.

So, what does that really look like?

Unpack and define critical thinking

To understand critical thinking, educators need to first unpack and define its components. What exactly are we looking for when we speak about reasoning or exploring multiple perspectives on an issue? How does problem-solving show up in English, math, science, art, or other disciplines—and how is it assessed? At Two Rivers, an EL Education school, the faculty identified five constructs of critical thinking, defined each, and created rubrics to generate a shared picture of quality for teachers and students. The rubrics were then adapted across grade levels to indicate students’ learning progressions.

At Avenues World School, critical thinking is one of the Avenues World Elements and is an enduring outcome embedded in students’ early experiences through 12th grade. For instance, a kindergarten student may be expected to “identify cause and effect in familiar contexts,” while an 8th grader should demonstrate the ability to “seek out sufficient evidence before accepting a claim as true,” “identify bias in claims and evidence,” and “reconsider strongly held points of view in light of new evidence.”

When faculty and students embrace a common vision of what critical thinking looks and sounds like and how it is assessed, educators can then explicitly design learning experiences that call for students to employ critical-thinking skills. This kind of work must occur across all schools and programs, especially those serving large numbers of students of color. As Linda Darling-Hammond asserts , “Schools that serve large numbers of students of color are least likely to offer the kind of curriculum needed to ... help students attain the [critical-thinking] skills needed in a knowledge work economy. ”

So, what can it look like to create those kinds of learning experiences?

Designing experiences for critical thinking

After defining a shared understanding of “what” critical thinking is and “how” it shows up across multiple disciplines and grade levels, it is essential to create learning experiences that impel students to cultivate, practice, and apply these skills. There are several levers that offer pathways for teachers to promote critical thinking in lessons:

1.Choose Compelling Topics: Keep it relevant

A key Common Core State Standard asks for students to “write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.” That might not sound exciting or culturally relevant. But a learning experience designed for a 12th grade humanities class engaged learners in a compelling topic— policing in America —to analyze and evaluate multiple texts (including primary sources) and share the reasoning for their perspectives through discussion and writing. Students grappled with ideas and their beliefs and employed deep critical-thinking skills to develop arguments for their claims. Embedding critical-thinking skills in curriculum that students care about and connect with can ignite powerful learning experiences.

2. Make Local Connections: Keep it real

At The Possible Project , an out-of-school-time program designed to promote entrepreneurial skills and mindsets, students in a recent summer online program (modified from in-person due to COVID-19) explored the impact of COVID-19 on their communities and local BIPOC-owned businesses. They learned interviewing skills through a partnership with Everyday Boston , conducted virtual interviews with entrepreneurs, evaluated information from their interviews and local data, and examined their previously held beliefs. They created blog posts and videos to reflect on their learning and consider how their mindsets had changed as a result of the experience. In this way, we can design powerful community-based learning and invite students into productive struggle with multiple perspectives.

3. Create Authentic Projects: Keep it rigorous

At Big Picture Learning schools, students engage in internship-based learning experiences as a central part of their schooling. Their school-based adviser and internship-based mentor support them in developing real-world projects that promote deeper learning and critical-thinking skills. Such authentic experiences teach “young people to be thinkers, to be curious, to get from curiosity to creation … and it helps students design a learning experience that answers their questions, [providing an] opportunity to communicate it to a larger audience—a major indicator of postsecondary success.” Even in a remote environment, we can design projects that ask more of students than rote memorization and that spark critical thinking.

Our call to action is this: As educators, we need to make opportunities for critical thinking available not only to the affluent or those fortunate enough to be placed in advanced courses. The tools are available, let’s use them. Let’s interrogate our current curriculum and design learning experiences that engage all students in real, relevant, and rigorous experiences that require critical thinking and prepare them for promising postsecondary pathways.

Critical Thinking & Student Engagement

Dr. PJ Caposey is an award-winning educator, keynote speaker, consultant, and author of seven books who currently serves as the superintendent of schools for the award-winning Meridian CUSD 223 in northwest Illinois. You can find PJ on most social-media platforms as MCUSDSupe:

When I start my keynote on student engagement, I invite two people up on stage and give them each five paper balls to shoot at a garbage can also conveniently placed on stage. Contestant One shoots their shot, and the audience gives approval. Four out of 5 is a heckuva score. Then just before Contestant Two shoots, I blindfold them and start moving the garbage can back and forth. I usually try to ensure that they can at least make one of their shots. Nobody is successful in this unfair environment.

I thank them and send them back to their seats and then explain that this little activity was akin to student engagement. While we all know we want student engagement, we are shooting at different targets. More importantly, for teachers, it is near impossible for them to hit a target that is moving and that they cannot see.

Within the world of education and particularly as educational leaders, we have failed to simplify what student engagement looks like, and it is impossible to define or articulate what student engagement looks like if we cannot clearly articulate what critical thinking is and looks like in a classroom. Because, simply, without critical thought, there is no engagement.

The good news here is that critical thought has been defined and placed into taxonomies for decades already. This is not something new and not something that needs to be redefined. I am a Bloom’s person, but there is nothing wrong with DOK or some of the other taxonomies, either. To be precise, I am a huge fan of Daggett’s Rigor and Relevance Framework. I have used that as a core element of my practice for years, and it has shaped who I am as an instructional leader.

So, in order to explain critical thought, a teacher or a leader must familiarize themselves with these tried and true taxonomies. Easy, right? Yes, sort of. The issue is not understanding what critical thought is; it is the ability to integrate it into the classrooms. In order to do so, there are a four key steps every educator must take.

• Integrating critical thought/rigor into a lesson does not happen by chance, it happens by design. Planning for critical thought and engagement is much different from planning for a traditional lesson. In order to plan for kids to think critically, you have to provide a base of knowledge and excellent prompts to allow them to explore their own thinking in order to analyze, evaluate, or synthesize information.
• SIDE NOTE – Bloom’s verbs are a great way to start when writing objectives, but true planning will take you deeper than this.

QUESTIONING

• If the questions and prompts given in a classroom have correct answers or if the teacher ends up answering their own questions, the lesson will lack critical thought and rigor.
• Script five questions forcing higher-order thought prior to every lesson. Experienced teachers may not feel they need this, but it helps to create an effective habit.
• If lessons are rigorous and assessments are not, students will do well on their assessments, and that may not be an accurate representation of the knowledge and skills they have mastered. If lessons are easy and assessments are rigorous, the exact opposite will happen. When deciding to increase critical thought, it must happen in all three phases of the game: planning, instruction, and assessment.

TALK TIME / CONTROL

• To increase rigor, the teacher must DO LESS. This feels counterintuitive but is accurate. Rigorous lessons involving tons of critical thought must allow for students to work on their own, collaborate with peers, and connect their ideas. This cannot happen in a silent room except for the teacher talking. In order to increase rigor, decrease talk time and become comfortable with less control. Asking questions and giving prompts that lead to no true correct answer also means less control. This is a tough ask for some teachers. Explained differently, if you assign one assignment and get 30 very similar products, you have most likely assigned a low-rigor recipe. If you assign one assignment and get multiple varied products, then the students have had a chance to think deeply, and you have successfully integrated critical thought into your classroom.

Thanks to Dara, Patrick, Meg, and PJ for their contributions!

Please feel free to leave a comment with your reactions to the topic or directly to anything that has been said in this post.

Consider contributing a question to be answered in a future post. You can send one to me at [email protected] . When you send it in, let me know if I can use your real name if it’s selected or if you’d prefer remaining anonymous and have a pseudonym in mind.

You can also contact me on Twitter at @Larryferlazzo .

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Developing Critical Thinking

• Posted January 10, 2018
• By Iman Rastegari

In a time where deliberately false information is continually introduced into public discourse, and quickly spread through social media shares and likes, it is more important than ever for young people to develop their critical thinking. That skill, says Georgetown professor William T. Gormley, consists of three elements: a capacity to spot weakness in other arguments, a passion for good evidence, and a capacity to reflect on your own views and values with an eye to possibly change them. But are educators making the development of these skills a priority?

"Some teachers embrace critical thinking pedagogy with enthusiasm and they make it a high priority in their classrooms; other teachers do not," says Gormley, author of the recent Harvard Education Press release The Critical Advantage: Developing Critical Thinking Skills in School . "So if you are to assess the extent of critical-thinking instruction in U.S. classrooms, you’d find some very wide variations." Which is unfortunate, he says, since developing critical-thinking skills is vital not only to students' readiness for college and career, but to their civic readiness, as well.

"It's important to recognize that critical thinking is not just something that takes place in the classroom or in the workplace, it's something that takes place — and should take place — in our daily lives," says Gormley.

In this edition of the Harvard EdCast, Gormley looks at the value of teaching critical thinking, and explores how it can be an important solution to some of the problems that we face, including "fake news."

About the Harvard EdCast

The Harvard EdCast is a weekly series of podcasts, available on the Harvard University iT unes U page, that features a 15-20 minute conversation with thought leaders in the field of education from across the country and around the world. Hosted by Matt Weber and co-produced by Jill Anderson, the Harvard EdCast is a space for educational discourse and openness, focusing on the myriad issues and current events related to the field.

An education podcast that keeps the focus simple: what makes a difference for learners, educators, parents, and communities

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Strategies to Increase Critical Thinking Skills in students

Matthew Joseph October 2, 2019 Blog , Engage Better , Lesson Plan Better , Personalize Student Learning Better

In This Post:

• The importance of helping students increase critical thinking skills.
• Ways to promote the essential skills needed to analyze and evaluate.
• Strategies to incorporate critical thinking into your instruction.

We ask our teachers to be “future-ready” or say that we are teaching “for jobs that don’t exist yet.” These are powerful statements. At the same time, they give teachers the impression that we have to drastically change what we are doing .

So how do we plan education for an unknown job market or unknown needs?

My answer: We can’t predict the jobs, but whatever they are, students will need to think critically to do them. So, our job is to teach our students HOW to think, not WHAT to think.

Helping Students Become Critical Thinkers

My answer is rooted in the call to empower our students to be critical thinkers. I believe that to be critical thinkers, educators need to provide students with the strategies they need. And we need to ask more than just surface-level questions.

Questions to students must motivate them to dig up background knowledge. They should inspire them to make connections to real-world scenarios. These make the learning more memorable and meaningful.

Critical thinking is a general term. I believe this term means that students effectively identify, analyze, and evaluate content or skills. In this process, they (the students) will discover and present convincing reasons in support of their answers or thinking.

You can look up critical thinking and get many definitions like this one from Wikipedia: “ Critical thinking consists of a mental process of analyzing or evaluating information, particularly statements or propositions that people have offered as true. ”

Essential Skills for Critical Thinking

In my current role as director of curriculum and instruction, I work to promote the use of 21st-century tools and, more importantly, thinking skills. Some essential skills that are the basis for critical thinking are:

• Communication and Information skills
• Thinking and Problem-Solving skills
• Interpersonal and Self- Directional skills
• Collaboration skills

These four bullets are skills students are going to need in any field and in all levels of education. Hence my answer to the question. We need to teach our students to think critically and for themselves.

One of the goals of education is to prepare students to learn through discovery . Providing opportunities to practice being critical thinkers will assist students in analyzing others’ thinking and examining the logic of others.

Understanding others is an essential skill in collaboration and in everyday life. Critical thinking will allow students to do more than just memorize knowledge.

Ask Questions

So how do we do this? One recommendation is for educators to work in-depth questioning strategies into a lesson launch.

Ask thoughtful questions to allow for answers with sound reasoning. Then, word conversations and communication to shape students’ thinking. Quick answers often result in very few words and no eye contact, which are skills we don’t want to promote.

When you are asking students questions and they provide a solution, try some of these to promote further thinking:

• Could you elaborate further on that point?
• Will you express that point in another way?
• Can you give me an illustration?
• Would you give me an example?
• Will you you provide more details?
• Could you be more specific?
• Do we need to consider another point of view?
• Is there another way to look at this question?

Utilizing critical thinking skills could be seen as a change in the paradigm of teaching and learning. Engagement in education will enhance the collaboration among teachers and students. It will also provide a way for students to succeed even if the school system had to start over.

[scroll down to keep reading]

Promoting critical thinking into all aspects of instruction.

Engagement, application, and collaboration are skills that withstand the test of time. I also promote the integration of critical thinking into every aspect of instruction.

In my experience, I’ve found a few ways to make this happen.

Begin lessons/units with a probing question: It shouldn’t be a question you can answer with a ‘yes’ or a ‘no.’ These questions should inspire discovery learning and problem-solving.

Encourage Creativity: I have seen teachers prepare projects before they give it to their students many times. For example, designing snowmen or other “creative” projects. By doing the design work or by cutting all the circles out beforehand, it removes creativity options.

It may help the classroom run more smoothly if every child’s material is already cut out, but then every student’s project looks the same. Students don’t have to think on their own or problem solve.

Not having everything “glue ready” in advance is a good thing. Instead, give students all the supplies needed to create a snowman, and let them do it on their own.

Giving independence will allow students to become critical thinkers because they will have to create their own product with the supplies you give them. This might be an elementary example, but it’s one we can relate to any grade level or project.

Try not to jump to help too fast – let the students work through a productive struggle .

Build in opportunities for students to find connections in learning.  Encouraging students to make connections to a real-life situation and identify patterns is a great way to practice their critical thinking skills. The use of real-world scenarios will increase rigor, relevance, and critical thinking.

A few other techniques to encourage critical thinking are:

• Use analogies
• Promote interaction among students
• Ask open-ended questions
• Allow reflection time
• Use real-life problems
• Allow for thinking practice

Critical thinking prepares students to think for themselves for the rest of their lives. I also believe critical thinkers are less likely to go along with the crowd because they think for themselves.

About Matthew X. Joseph, Ed.D.

Dr. Matthew X. Joseph has been a school and district leader in many capacities in public education over his 25 years in the field. Experiences such as the Director of Digital Learning and Innovation in Milford Public Schools (MA), elementary school principal in Natick, MA and Attleboro, MA, classroom teacher, and district professional development specialist have provided Matt incredible insights on how to best support teaching and learning. This experience has led to nationally publishing articles and opportunities to speak at multiple state and national events. He is the author of Power of Us: Creating Collaborative Schools and co-author of Modern Mentoring , Reimagining Teacher Mentorship (Due out, fall 2019). His master’s degree is in special education and his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Boston College.

Visit Matthew’s Blog

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Developing critical thinking skills in kids.

Developing Critical Thinking Skills

Learning to think critically may be one of the most important skills that today's children will need for the future. In today’s rapidly changing world, children need to be able to do much more than repeat a list of facts; they need to be critical thinkers who can make sense of information, analyze, compare, contrast, make inferences, and generate higher order thinking skills. 

Building Your Child's Critical Thinking Skills

Building critical thinking skills happens through day-to-day interactions as you talk with your child, ask open-ended questions, and allow your child to experiment and solve problems.  Here are some tips and ideas to help children build a foundation for critical thinking: 

• Provide opportunities for play .   Building with blocks, acting out roles with friends, or playing board games all build children’s critical thinking. 
• Pause and wait.  Offering your child ample time to think, attempt a task, or generate a response is critical. This gives your child a chance to reflect on her response and perhaps refine, rather than responding with their very first gut reaction.
• Don't intervene immediately.   Kids need challenges to grow. Wait and watch before you jump in to solve a problem.
• Ask open-ended questions.  Rather than automatically giving answers to the questions your child raises, help them think critically by asking questions in return: "What ideas do you have? What do you think is happening here?" Respect their responses whether you view them as correct or not. You could say, "That is interesting. Tell me why you think that."
• Help children develop hypotheses.  Taking a moment to form hypotheses during play  is a critical thinking exercise that helps develop skills. Try asking your child, "If we do this, what do you think will happen?" or "Let's predict what we think will happen next."
• Encourage thinking in new and different ways.  By allowing children to think differently, you're helping them hone their creative  problem solving skills. Ask questions like, "What other ideas could we try?" or encourage your child to generate options by saying, "Let’s think of all the possible solutions."

Of course, there are situations where you as a parent need to step in. At these times, it is helpful to model your own critical thinking. As you work through a decision making process, verbalize what is happening inside your mind. Children learn from observing how you think. Taking time to allow your child to navigate problems is integral to developing your child's critical thinking skills in the long run. 

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Home » Blog » Empowering Young Minds: Developing Critical Thinking Skills in Children and Teens

Empowering Young Minds: Developing Critical Thinking Skills in Children and Teens

• By Caroline Buzanko
• ADHD , Anxiety , Confidence , Parenting , Problem-solving , Resilience , School Success , Skill Building , Skill development

In a rapidly evolving world, the skills required for success go beyond memorizing facts and following instructions. One of the most vital skills we can nurture is critical thinking. Developing critical thinking skills is essential to empower children and teenagers to analyze information, think independently, and make informed decisions. In today’s information-driven world, it is essential for young minds to develop the ability to navigate through vast amounts of data, distinguish between fact and opinion, and form their own judgments.

Critical thinking is the ability to objectively analyze and evaluate information, ideas, or situations to form reasoned judgments or make informed decisions. It involves questioning assumptions, considering multiple perspectives, and using evidence to support conclusions. The modern world is saturated with information from various sources, and the ability to navigate this sea of information requires more than just passive absorption – it demands critical thinking.

By understanding the power of critical thinking and implementing effective techniques, we can equip the younger generation with a strong foundation for success in both their personal and academic lives.

Why Developing Critical Thinking is Important

Critical thinking is more than a cognitive skill; it is a mindset that encourages curiosity, open-mindedness, and the willingness to question assumptions. Children and teenagers who possess strong critical thinking skills are better equipped to solve problems, adapt to new situations, and communicate effectively. Here are some key reasons why developing critical thinking skills is crucial for children and teens:

Analytical Thinking

Critical thinking enables young minds to analyze complex information, break it down into manageable components, and draw well-reasoned conclusions. This skill is fundamental in academic subjects, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Problem-Solving Abilities

By encouraging critical thinking, we equip children and teens to tackle challenges with creativity and resourcefulness. They learn to approach problems from various angles, considering multiple solutions before arriving at the most effective one. Critical thinkers are adept at breaking down complex problems into manageable components. They can identify patterns, make connections, approach problems from various angles, and devise creative solutions that might not be immediately apparent.

Effective Decision-Making

 Life is rife with decisions – some trivial, others life-altering. Critical thinkers are less influenced by biases and emotions than others. They can make informed decisions by considering all available information, potential consequences, and personal values, leading to thoughtful and rational choices.

Resilience and Adaptability

Critical thinking nurtures resilience by teaching young minds to embrace setbacks as learning opportunities. They become more adaptable to change and view failures as stepping stones to success.

Strong Communication Skills

The ability to convey ideas clearly and logically is a hallmark of critical thinking. When children and teens can critically evaluate information, they can articulate their thoughts clearly, engage in meaningful discussions, and persuasively present their viewpoints. This skill is essential for effective communication and expressing ideas with confidence.

Emotion Regulation

Critical thinking skills enable individuals to objectively analyze and evaluate emotional responses, helping them to distinguish between rational and irrational beliefs or triggers. This cognitive process aids in implementing effective emotion regulation strategies, leading to more adaptive coping mechanisms and emotional well-being.

Resilience to Misinformation

In the digital age, misinformation and fake news spread like wildfire. Critical thinking equips children and teens with the tools to discern credible sources from unreliable ones, reducing the risk of falling victim to misinformation.

Lifelong Learning

Critical thinking is not limited to the classroom. Those who cultivate this skill are more likely to be curious and open-minded, leading to a habit of continuous learning throughout their lives.

Strategies to Foster Critical Thinking

Here are just a few ways to start with developing critical thinking skills for children and teens:

Encourage Open-Ended Discussions

Engage in meaningful conversations. Instead of providing immediate answers, ask thought-provoking questions that stimulate their critical thinking. Encourage them to share their perspectives, challenge assumptions, and explore various viewpoints.

Use open-ended questions to deeply think about their thoughts and assumptions.  For instance, if your child expresses an opinion about a book they read, ask questions like, “What made you feel that way?” or “What is another way to interpret that part?” This encourages them to analyze their thoughts and consider alternative perspectives.

Promote a Growth Mindset

Emphasize that intelligence and abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. A growth mindset fosters a willingness to take on challenges, embrace learning opportunities, and persist through obstacles. Celebrate the mistake of the day where everyone chats about their mistake of the day and what they learned from it.

Engage in Real-World Problem-Solving

Provide opportunities for children and teens to solve real-world problems. Engaging in debates, project-based learning, or community service allows them to apply critical thinking skills in practical situations, making learning more meaningful and impactful.

You could have them help with things like planning a family vacation within a budget. They need to consider transportation costs, accommodation options, activities, and food expenses. Encourage them to research, compare prices, and make informed decisions. This exercise develops their ability to analyze information, prioritize, and find creative solutions within constraints.

You can also present children and teens with age-appropriate challenges that require creative solutions. For example, provide your child with building blocks and ask them to create a structure that can hold the most weight. Encourage them to experiment with different designs and materials, fostering critical thinking through trial and error.

Expose Them to Diverse Perspectives

Encourage children and teens to explore diverse perspectives, cultures, and experiences through literature, media, and discussions. Exposure to various viewpoints fosters open-mindedness and empathy, crucial attributes of critical thinking. Discussing various perspectives encourages empathy and helps children understand that there can be multiple valid viewpoints.

For example, choose a topic that has various viewpoints, such as climate change. Have a family discussion where each member presents a different perspective. This encourages critical thinking as they need to consider and evaluate each viewpoint.

You could also choose a different country or culture to explore each month. Research the chosen culture’s history, traditions, and customs as a family. Discuss how these factors might shape people’s perspectives and values. This activity encourages critical thinking by highlighting how individuals’ backgrounds influence their viewpoints and the importance of understanding diverse perspectives.

Nurture Curiosity for Learning

Curiosity is the driving force behind critical thinking. Foster an environment where questions are welcomed, and curiosity is celebrated. Encourage young minds to ask questions like “Why” and “How,” explore new topics, and seek answers through research and investigation. Curious learners are more likely to engage deeply with the subject matter and develop stronger critical thinking abilities.

For example, if your child notices a bird building a nest outside the window and asks why the bird is doing that, don’t respond immediately. Instead, say, “That’s a great observation! Why do you think the bird is building a nest?” and discuss different ideas. Then, you can go research and find out together.

You could also set up experiments, like watering identical plants with various liquids (water, juice, milk, etc.). Ask them to predict and explain their expectations. As they observe and record the results over time, they engage in critical thinking by comparing data and drawing conclusions based on evidence.

Encourage Self-Reflection

Encourage your child to reflect on their day, including on their thoughts and actions. Ask them to consider what they have learned from a particular experience, what they could have done differently, and how they can apply their learnings to future situations. What challenges did they face? What did they learn? What could they have done differently? What can they do in the future? Regularly engaging in self-reflection helps them analyze their experiences, identify patterns, and consider strategies for improvement.

For instance, after a family outing, gather everyone and ask each member to share one thing they learned or found interesting. Then, ask them to reflect on why that was important to them, promoting analytical thinking.

Provide Opportunities for Collaborative Learning

Engage children and teens in group activities that require cooperation and teamwork. Collaborative learning allows them to consider different perspectives, exchange ideas, and build on each other’s strengths, enhancing their critical thinking abilities.

For example, organize a family project that requires teamwork. Choose a project, such as building a birdhouse or planning a themed dinner. Assign different roles and encourage each family member to contribute ideas and solutions. This exercise promotes critical thinking as they discuss and evaluate each other’s suggestions, negotiate compromises, and work towards a common goal.

Teach Information Evaluation

In the digital age, it is crucial to teach children and teens how to evaluate the reliability and credibility of information. Teach them to assess sources, look for evidence, and differentiate between fact and opinion.

For example, show your teen a news article from a reliable source and another from a less credible source. Discuss the differences between them, including the language used, the evidence presented, and potential biases. This helps them recognize the importance of reliable information.

You could do something structured, like research a historical figure online. Guide your child through the process of evaluating online sources. Ask them to consider the author’s credentials, the publication’s reputation, and the presence of biased language. This exercise equips them with skills to critically assess the reliability of the information they encounter online.

Discuss Values and Ethics

Engage children in discussions about ethical dilemmas. Encourage them to weigh different options and consider the ethical implications of their choices. This not only enhances critical thinking but also strengthens their moral compass.

For example, if your child faces a dilemma where they saw a classmate cheating on a test, engage in a conversation about honesty, the consequences of cheating, and what they believe is the right thing to do. This encourages them to weigh different options and consider ethical implications.

Developing critical thinking skills is a journey that requires continuous engagement and thoughtful guidance. These skills are not just nice to have; they’re a necessity. These skills empower our young generation to become lifelong learners and responsible decision-makers. These skills will help them navigate through life’s challenges with confidence. By fostering an environment that encourages curiosity, diverse perspectives, and reflective thinking, you’re providing them with invaluable tools to navigate a rapidly changing world filled with complexities, uncertainties, and opportunities.

Interested in learning about the importance of critical thinking and emotion regulation? Check out Dr. Buzanko’s podcast episode on Overpowering Emotions to see how you can help children and teens harness the power of critical thinking for emotional balance!

Need help? Reach out to any one of our experts at Koru today.

Koru Family Psychology is a family first practice focused on growth, strength and new beginnings. We provide a variety of psychological services to empower families to reclaim their confidence to effectively navigate life’s challenges and to enrich their quality of life. 

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MSU Extension Child & Family Development

The importance of critical thinking for young children.

Kylie Rymanowicz, Michigan State University Extension - May 03, 2016

Critical thinking is essential life skill. Learn why it is so important and how you can help children learn and practice these skills.

We use critical thinking skills every day. They help us to make good decisions, understand the consequences of our actions and solve problems. These incredibly important skills are used in everything from putting together puzzles to mapping out the best route to work. It’s the process of using focus and self-control to solve problems and set and follow through on goals. It utilizes other important life skills like making connections , perspective taking and communicating . Basically, critical thinking helps us make good, sound decisions.

Critical thinking

In her book, “Mind in the Making: The seven essential life skills every child needs,” author Ellen Galinsky explains the importance of teaching children critical thinking skills. A child’s natural curiosity helps lay the foundation for critical thinking. Critical thinking requires us to take in information, analyze it and make judgements about it, and that type of active engagement requires imagination and inquisitiveness. As children take in new information, they fill up a library of sorts within their brain. They have to think about how the new information fits in with what they already know, or if it changes any information we already hold to be true.

Supporting the development of critical thinking

Michigan State University Extension has some tips on helping your child learn and practice critical thinking.

• Encourage pursuits of curiosity . The dreaded “why” phase. Help them form and test theories, experiment and try to understand how the world works. Encourage children to explore, ask questions, test their theories, think critically about results and think about changes they could make or things they could do differently.
• Learn from others. Help children think more deeply about things by instilling a love for learning and a desire to understand how things work. Seek out the answers to all of your children’s “why” questions using books, the internet, friends, family or other experts.
• Help children evaluate information. We are often given lots of information at a time, and it is important we evaluate that information to determine if it is true, important and whether or not we should believe it. Help children learn these skills by teaching them to evaluate new information. Have them think about where or who the information is coming from, how it relates to what they already know and why it is or is not important.
• Promote children’s interests. When children are deeply vested in a topic or pursuit, they are more engaged and willing to experiment. The process of expanding their knowledge brings about a lot of opportunities for critical thinking, so to encourage this action helps your child invest in their interests. Whether it is learning about trucks and vehicles or a keen interest in insects, help your child follow their passion.
• Teach problem-solving skills. When dealing with problems or conflicts, it is necessary to use critical thinking skills to understand the problem and come up with possible solutions, so teach them the steps of problem-solving and they will use critical thinking in the process of finding solutions to problems.

For more articles on child development, academic success, parenting and life skill development, please visit the MSU Extension website.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension . For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu . To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters . To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts , or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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Having Big Conversations with Little Learners

Critiquing Our Thinking

The power of a good prompt, naming and noticing, conversations and critical thinking: a power duo.

Premium Resource

With a few thoughtful prompts and a lot of noticing and modeling, we as educators can help young students engage in academic conversations in ways that deepen their learning.

Good thinking is thinking that (effectively) assesses itself. As a critical thinker, I do not simply state the problem; I assess the clarity of my own statement. I do not simply gather information; I check it for its relevance and significance. I do not simply form an interpretation; I check to make sure my interpretation has adequate evidentiary support.

Too often, in school, we focus on the things our students are not yet able to do, rather than recognizing their current abilities and using those to push them forward.

Reflect & Discuss

➛ Do the prompts and questions you use with students meet Orr’s guidelines for encouraging critical thinking?

➛ How do you actively notice and incorporate students’ prior knowledge into your teaching?

➛ Why is it so important for our youngest learners to develop critical thinking skills?

Demystifying Discussion

Jennifer Orr offers elementary school educators strategies for teaching K-5 learners to engage in student-led academic conversations.

Elder, L., & Paul, R. (2008). Critical thinking: Strategies for improving student learning.  Journal of Developmental Education ,  32 (1), 32–33.

Orr, J. (2021).  Demystifying discussion: How to teach and assess academic conversation skills ,  K–5 . ASCD.

Rubtsov, V. V. (2020). Two approaches to the problem of development in the context of social interactions: L.S. Vygotsky vs. J. Piaget.  Cultural-Historical Psychology ,  16 (3), 5–14.

van Gelder, T. (2005). Teaching critical thinking: Some lessons from cognitive science.  College Teaching ,  53 (1), 41–48.

Jennifer Orr is an elementary school teacher in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. She has taught for more than two decades in almost every elementary grade at schools serving highly diverse populations. She has experience with students who are learning English; in special education and advanced academic programs; and from military families.

Throughout her career, she achieved and renewed National Board Certification; wrote articles about technology in education, literacy, math, questioning, and more; and presented at state and national conferences on the same topics. Orr is a member of ASCD’s Emerging Leader class of 2013. In 2012, she won the Kay L. Bitter Award from ISTE.

ASCD is a community dedicated to educators' professional growth and well-being.

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Avoid Dull Lessons: 4 Early Education Boosters for Critical Thinking Development

In the foundational years of a child’s life, early education plays a crucial role, laying the groundwork for future academic and personal success. In this phase of learning that goes far beyond acquiring basic literacy and numeracy skills; “ Critical Thinking Development ” stands as a key focus. it’s about shaping the young minds to think independently and creatively. Among the various competencies that early education seeks to instill, critical thinking stands out as a cornerstone. It’s not merely a skill but an indispensable asset in a child’s cognitive toolkit, one that will serve them well throughout their lives.

The term ‘critical thinking’ often conjures up images of older students engaged in complex problem-solving, but its roots extend deep into early childhood. At this tender age, children are naturally curious, questioning everything around them, a trait that, if nurtured correctly, becomes the bedrock of critical thinking. However, one of the challenges educators and parents face is keeping the lessons engaging and far from dull. The antidote to monotony in education lies in incorporating certain boosters that transform the learning landscape.

Today we will discuss the four dynamic and effective strategies or ‘boosters’ for Critical Thinking Development that can revolutionize early education. These methods are not just about conveying information but are designed to actively engage young minds, prompting them to question, analyze, and synthesize information. By integrating these boosters into early education, we can ensure that our lessons are not just informative but also exciting and thought-provoking, paving the way for the robust development of critical thinking skills in young learners.

As we navigate through these strategies, we need to remember that the goal is not just to teach children what to think but more importantly, how to think.

Interactive Environments for Critical Thinking Development

Have you ever thought about what makes a classroom more than just a room with desks and a chalkboard? It’s when that room turns into a space where kids can actually interact and engage with what they’re learning. That’s the idea behind interactive learning environments, and it’s a pretty big deal for encouraging critical thinking in kids.

Let’s break it down a bit. In these interactive spaces, learning isn’t just about listening and taking notes. It’s about doing things. Think about kids working together to solve a puzzle or build a model. Children are not just passively taking in information; they’re actively involved. They’re asking questions, trying out ideas, maybe even making a few mistakes along the way. And that’s okay because that’s how they learn best.

This approach to critical thinking development is so powerful because it taps into kids’ natural curiosity. You know how kids are always asking ‘why’ and ‘how’? Interactive learning environments feed into that curiosity. They give kids a chance to explore and figure things out for themselves so it goes beyond memorizing facts; it’s about understanding concepts.

And it’s not just about the fancy stuff – the latest tech or gadgets. It’s more about how we, as adults – whether we’re teachers or parents – support these experiences. It’s about guiding them, asking them open-ended questions, and letting them find their own answers. It’s about creating a learning experience that feels engaging and, yes, even a bit fun.

Questioning as a Tool for Critical Thinking Development

Albert Einstein once said,

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.

So, let’s talk about the power of questions. You know how kids are naturally curious, always asking ‘why’ this and ‘how’ that? Well, that curiosity is a goldmine for learning, especially when it comes to developing critical thinking. This is where questioning and inquiry-based learning come into play.

Inquiry-based learning is all about encouraging kids to ask questions and then explore the answers. It’s not about feeding them information; it’s about guiding them on a journey to discover it for themselves. When kids ask questions, they’re engaged. They’re thinking, connecting dots, and really getting to grips with concepts.

For example, instead of just teaching kids about the water cycle in a standard lesson, why not start with a question like, “Where does rain come from?” This simple question can lead to experiments, discussions, and even more questions. It’s a way of learning that makes kids active participants, not just passive receivers of information.

This fantastic approach respects and utilizes the natural curiosity of children as they’re allowed to ask questions and seek answers and while doing so they’re learning how to think critically. They’re not just memorizing facts; they’re learning how to learn. And isn’t that the ultimate goal of education?

But here’s the catch – critical thinking development requires a bit of a shift from us as educators and parents. We need to be comfortable with not having all the answers and be open to exploring alongside our kids. It’s about creating an environment where it’s okay to question and where the journey to find an answer is just as important as the answer itself.

Integration of Technology and Education

In this digital age, it’s hard to talk about education without mentioning technology. But it’s not just about using technology for the sake of it. It’s about how we can smartly integrate it into learning to really boost critical thinking in kids.

Think about it: technology offers a vast array of tools that can make learning more interactive and engaging. Some educational apps and games can turn complex concepts into interactive challenges. Kids might not even realize they’re learning because they’re too busy enjoying the game. And that’s the beauty of it – learning becomes something they want to do, not something they have to do.

But it’s not all about fun and games. Technology can also provide access to a world of information. Kids can go on virtual field trips, watch educational videos, or even collaborate with students from across the globe. It opens up opportunities that were unimaginable just a few years ago.

However, it’s important to strike a balance. Technology should be a tool, not a crutch. It’s about using it in a way that enhances learning, not replaces traditional methods. The key is to use technology to create experiences that encourage kids to think, question, and explore.

Using an app to explore the solar system can turn a standard astronomy lesson into an interactive experience. Kids can navigate through space, learn about each planet, and see things in a way a textbook just can’t provide. It’s about bringing learning to life and making it relevant to the world they live in.

By thoughtfully integrating technology into education, we’re not just teaching kids how to use gadgets; we’re teaching them to use these tools to think critically and solve problems. In a world where technology is everywhere, these are skills that will serve them well into the future.

Encouraging Collaborative learning

lastly, let’s not underestimate the power of collaborative learning. It’s all about getting kids to work together, share ideas, and learn from each other. This collaboration is a fantastic way to develop critical thinking skills because it exposes children to different perspectives and ways of solving problems.

Collaborative learning can take many forms as a group project, a classroom discussion, or even a game where kids need to work together to achieve a goal. The idea is to create opportunities for kids to communicate, negotiate, and make decisions together. This interaction is crucial for critical thinking development because it teaches them to consider other viewpoints, articulate their own ideas, and find common ground.

For example, during a group science project, kids might have different opinions on how to conduct an experiment. This is a perfect opportunity for them to discuss, debate, and eventually agree on a method. Through this process, they’re not just learning about science; they’re learning valuable life skills like teamwork, communication, and, of course, critical thinking development.

What’s important here is the role of the teacher or parent. Our job isn’t to provide all the answers but to facilitate these interactions. It’s about guiding the conversation, asking the right questions, and sometimes just stepping back and letting the kids figure it out.

By promoting collaborative learning, we’re preparing our kids for the real world. In almost every aspect of life, whether it’s at work or in personal relationships, being able to work with others, understand different viewpoints, and come up with solutions together is invaluable. And if we can start developing these skills from an early age, we’re giving our kids a solid foundation for success.

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Critical Thinking: Empowering Young Learners for Tomorrow

I. i keep hearing about critical thinking… what is it.

Still not sure about critical thinking in the field of education? Critical thinking is more than just a buzzword; it’s a cornerstone of intellectual development that empowers young learners to navigate the complexities of the modern world. Put simply, critical thinking involves the ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information to make informed decisions and solve problems effectively. In this post, we’ll go over the importance of developing this skill in your students and also provide some examples of how you can apply the principles in the classroom.

1. Here’s What You Need to Develop Critical Thinking Skills:

1.1 analysis.

Critical thinkers possess the ability to break down complex ideas into smaller components to understand their underlying meaning and significance. For example, in an ESL class, students may analyze the different elements in a photo and discuss their relationship with similar things that they already know.

1.2 Evaluation

Critical thinkers will assess the effectiveness, impact, or purpose of their topic of the day.

For instance, on a lesson about chores, students might rank different chores from the most difficult to the easiest. They can then compare their answers with their partners and discuss the differences in ranking.

1.3 Synthesis

Critical thinkers can integrate different perspectives, ideas, and information to create solutions and insights. In a group project, students may synthesize different research findings and viewpoints to develop a comprehensive understanding of a topic and propose creative solutions to real-world problems.

2. My Students Are So Young! Do They Need Critical Thinking Skills, Too?

Critical thinking is a fundamental skill that empowers young learners to become active participants in their own learning journey and prepares them for success in academic, professional, and personal pursuits. Here are some reasons why fostering critical thinking skills is crucial:

2.1 Enhanced Problem-Solving

Critical thinkers are equipped to identify challenges, analyze root causes, and develop effective solutions in various contexts, from solving math problems to addressing complex societal issues.

2.2 Improved Decision Making

By honing their critical thinking skills, young learners can make informed decisions based on evidence, reason, and thoughtful analysis, leading to better outcomes in both academic and real-life situations.

2.2 Empowered Citizenship

In an era of information overload and misinformation, critical thinking enables young learners to discern fact from fiction, think critically about media messages, and actively engage as informed citizens in a democratic society.

II. Bringing Critical Thinking to the Classroom

As educators, we play an important role in cultivating critical thinking skills among our students. Here are some practical strategies for incorporating critical thinking into the classroom:

1. Encourage Questioning

Foster a culture of inquiry by encouraging students to ask thought-provoking questions, challenge assumptions, and explore diverse perspectives. Encourage open-ended discussions and debates that promote critical thinking and active participation.

If your younger students are learning about megacities, you can prompt critical thinking with questions such as:

1) Compare: Is this city bigger than HCMC?

2) Evaluate: Is this city small, big or very big?

3) Relate: Do you live in a big city? What can you see in big cities?

Avoid simple yes/no questions as most of your students may just copy their neighbors without putting extra effort into it. Instead, try to use the 5W1H (who, what, where, when, why how) method to create more comprehensive questions.

2. Provide Real-World Contexts

Connect classroom concepts to real-world scenarios and current events to illustrate the practical relevance of critical thinking skills. Encourage students to apply critical thinking to analyze complex issues, evaluate evidence, and propose solutions to real-life problems.

For example, in a lesson about recycling, you can ask your students: What happens when we throw plastic in the sea? What happens when animals eat them?

3. “Not the answer”

This activity is useful for any multiple-choice question that requires critical thinking when the answer can’t be found directly in the text. Instead of trying to find the correct answer first, start with the choice that is absolutely not the answer . After your students have identified one of the wrong answers, go through the reasoning behind why it is incorrect before crossing it out. 

Next, identify the distractor answer and reason out the tricky parts that make it incorrect. Eventually, your class will be left with just the correct answer, as well as confidence in their own understanding.

4. Give Your Students Time

Most importantly, make sure you have given your students enough class time to reflect on and consolidate their learning. Let them justify their answers and give them encouragement, creating a non-judgemental atmosphere where students feel confident.

By equipping young learners with the essential tools of critical thinking, we empower them to become lifelong learners, engaged citizens, and agents of positive change in an ever-evolving world. As educators, let’s embrace our role in shaping the future by fostering a culture of critical inquiry, intellectual curiosity, and creative problem-solving in our classrooms and beyond.

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Developing Computational Thinking with Educational Technologies for Young Learners

• Original Paper
• Published: 30 April 2018
• Volume 62 , pages 563–573, ( 2018 )

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• Yu-Hui Ching   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-6382-9903 1 ,
• Yu-Chang Hsu 1 &
• Sally Baldwin 1  

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The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the opportunities for developing computational thinking in young learners. It includes a review of empirical studies on the educational technologies used to develop computational thinking in young learners, and analyses and descriptions of a selection of commercially available technologies for developing computational thinking in young learners. The challenges and implications of using these technologies also are discussed.

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Ching, YH., Hsu, YC. & Baldwin, S. Developing Computational Thinking with Educational Technologies for Young Learners. TechTrends 62 , 563–573 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-018-0292-7

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Fostering Critical Thinking in Young Learners: Integrating it into English Learning

by Everybody Loves Languages | Jul 25, 2023 | LMS

By: Vinicius Nobre

In the realm of English language teaching (ELT), the cultivation of Critical Thinking (CT) skills has gained significant recognition as a vital 21st Century Skill. However, when it comes to young learners, the development of critical thinking often receives insufficient attention in ELT coursebooks and approaches. This blog post aims to shed light on the importance of integrating CT into the English learning curriculum for young learners because by nurturing critical thinking skills from an early age, educators can empower young learners to actively and skillfully analyze, evaluate, and apply information, equipping them with the essential tools for adaptability in today’s rapidly evolving world.

The Foundation of Critical Thinking :

The roots of critical thinking skills can be traced back to the early 20th century, primarily influenced by the work of philosopher John Dewey. Dewey emphasized the importance of reflective thought, which involves active and persistent consideration of beliefs and knowledge. Dewey’s ideas laid the groundwork for Bloom’s Taxonomy, a seminal framework that categorized thinking skills from lower-order to higher-order levels. Bloom’s Taxonomy has undergone revisions to align with the demands of the 21st-century context, providing educators with a scaffold to foster critical thinking skills in young learners.

The Role of Knowledge and Dispositions:

Knowledge serves as a foundation for developing critical thinking skills in young learners. It enables them to effectively apply CT across various domains, fostering the transferability of skills. While domain-specific knowledge is valuable, the ability to transfer knowledge from one context to another is equally important. Additionally, nurturing positive dispositions, such as empathy and open-mindedness, creates an environment conducive to fair judgment and exploration of abstract ideas. Encouraging such dispositions in the English learning classroom supports the growth of critical thinking skills in young learners.

Pedagogical Approaches for CT Instruction:

Integrating critical thinking instruction within the English learning curriculum is best achieved through pedagogical approaches that align with young learners’ cognitive abilities and interests. While explicit instruction can be valuable, there is an ongoing debate about whether CT should be taught as a standalone subject or embedded within other subject matter. In the context of young learners, incorporating critical thinking instruction into ELT can be realized through various effective pedagogical approaches. Guided discovery, process writing, and debates are examples of methods that engage young learners in higher-order thinking processes, enabling them to practice critical thinking in authentic and age-appropriate contexts.

Assessing Critical Thinking:

Assessing critical thinking skills in young learners within the ELT context presents unique challenges and the need to revisit our beliefs regarding testing and assessment. Traditional assessment methods often prioritize rote memorization and lower-order thinking skills, failing to capture the essence of critical thinking. However, alternative assessment approaches, such as performance-based assessments, portfolios, and project-based assessments, offer more comprehensive ways to evaluate young learners’ critical thinking abilities. Ongoing research focuses on developing reliable and valid assessment tools specifically tailored to assess critical thinking in the context of young English language learners.

Considerations for Online Collaboration Tools:

With the increasing prevalence of online learning, educators need to consider the integration of Online Collaboration Tools (OCTs) to promote critical thinking skills among young learners. OCTs provide platforms for collaborative problem-solving, information analysis, and developing critical thinking dispositions. However, educators must navigate challenges related to online communication, digital literacy skills, and the potential for information overload. Thoughtful implementation of OCTs can enhance critical thinking opportunities and foster meaningful collaboration among young learners in the online English learning environment.

By integrating critical thinking instruction into the English learning curriculum for young learners, educators play a crucial role in their intellectual and cognitive development. Cultivating critical thinking skills from an early age empowers young learners to become active, discerning, and adaptable individuals. Through a combination of pedagogical approaches, suitable assessment methods, and thoughtful integration of online collaboration tools, educators can create an environment that nurtures critical thinking abilities in young English language learners, equipping them with the essential skills for success in the 21st century.

English AcadeMe Junior

English AcadeMe Junior is Everybody Loves Languages’ latest resource for teaching English to young learners. This movie-based digital course is filled with strategies to promote the development of critical thinking in young learners. By guiding them to discover the world through the magic of their favorite stories, English AcadeMe Junior helps learners expand their knowledge about the most diverse topics in a fun, collaborative, and meaningful way. The activities in English AcadeMe Junior go beyond language and foster the development of cognitive abilities through authentic storytelling, including integrative assessment moments with exciting projects and suggestions for highly effective classroom dynamics. 

Further reading:

• Bloom, B. S., Engelhart, M. D., Furst, E. J., Hill, W. H., & Krathwohl, D. R. (1956). Taxonomy of educational objectives: The classification of educational goals. Handbook I: Cognitive domain. New York, NY: McKay.
• Dewey, J. (1933). How we think. Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath.
• Ennis, R. H. (1987). A taxonomy of critical thinking dispositions and abilities. In J. Baron & R. J. Sternberg (Eds.), Teaching thinking skills: Theory and practice (pp. 9-26). New York, NY: W.H. Freeman.
• Tsai, P.-S. (2019). The effects of process writing instruction on Taiwanese elementary students’ English achievement and critical thinking. International Journal of Instruction, 12(4), 107-120.
• Abrami, P. C., Bernard, R. M., Borokhovski, E., Wade, A., Surkes, M. A., Tamim, R., & Zhang, D. (2008). Instructional interventions affecting critical thinking skills and dispositions: A stage 1 meta-analysis. Review of Educational Research, 78(4), 1102-1134.

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