It's a rapidly changing world that we are living in. Everything is moving at jet speed. What was of any importance a year back may hold no relevance now. Everything is so dynamic in nature. All the time there are new opportunities, new challenges coming forth. It was not the same 20 years back. Things moved at a much slower pace then, but now it is not the case, so imagine what it would be like another 10 years down the line. We may be in a totally different dimension.
In such a world it becomes so imperative for our Children to be at that pace and keep up with it. So what do you all think will help groom our children for this future. There will be many things but one of the important things out of those many is enhancing their critical thinking abilities. Across the globe there are different education systems. While some are very mindful about bringing in more abilities, creativity and curiosity to the table for a child besides the formal education, but then there are many education systems who are still following the theoretical methods.
Critical Thinking is not something that a child can study, it is the ability that builds up in a child when they would come across complex situations. When they are exposed to new activities, challenges that is the time when their capabilities will enhance and grow, but if they are given a system which is cyclical and they are just following the routines these abilities will never develop in them, which can result into a lack of self-confidence when they grow up, or they would grow up and do very mechanical stuff.
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Children when they develop the ability of critical thinking they will start making sense to the information given to them or analyzing situations, doing comparisons, taking decisions. As parents and teachers we need to expand these horizons for them, give them those opportunity which will equip them to use their mental capabilities at the best levels.
Some simple ways that as Parents, Teachers, Guides, Care takers we can take to boost these abilities in our Children are;
- Encouraging their Curiosity - This is the beginning, if we do not nurture this part, the possibility is that the child may lose the enthusiasm. We all know what type of questions children can ask, some of them can blow us off and that just shows how fast their mind is working. They want to know everything. Most of the Children are full of questions, they can keep going on from one to another and they never stop. But if we continuously discourage them on this part, slowly they will go silent, which is like crucifying their abilities. This was very hilarious, when my son was very young, once he asked me. Mom when are you going to Die. I asked him why this question, so he said you always sit with Dad in the front seat of the car, so after you Die, I will make my wife sit on the front seat. And we all had a very hearty laugh. But then to think of it, Children are so innocent and so full of curiosity of when, how, what.
- Helping them to Analyze and Promote their Interest- If we notice these small babies when they start identifying things around them, everything is a wonder and they would hold it and keep staring at it in wonder. Just shows how much they want to explore. As they grow they want to understand more and more about the nature of things. Sometime back my little nephew walked in to my room when I was doing Tarot card reading. Just a 9 year old and I could see his curiosity to know what is it all about. I briefly made him understand thinking it may not sink into him much, but to my surprise he asked me back. Can you do my reading for a question that I have. I was a little amused with the kind of interest he showed. I did it for him and then the next one that came from him is. Can I also try doing this, can you teach me.
It may not be possible to always promote all their interest but by discouraging them and not giving them the understanding that curiosity will kill them, so it is important that we tend to them and make them understand.
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- Developing problem solving skills and Providing opportunities- Sometimes we need to create activities for them which will give them opportunity to think, put their minds at work and come up with solutions. When we put them small challenges in front of them and ask them for resolutions, it will boost their capabilities. Bringing real life challenges in front of them and asking them to resolve will help them put their minds at work.
- Asking them open-ended questions - When children come up with their questions, rather then giving them an immediate answer it would be good if we allow them to explore and get their answers by asking open-ended questions in return. You can give them multiple choices and ask them as to what they think will be the best solution or answer. When we leave this space for them, they will work on it and expand their abilities.
In today's age we have information more than we require and it gets complicated sometimes to decide what is right and what is not. If we can ace these challenges imagine how it would be for children. When we allow them to expand in their horizons in their growing up it will help them in their future journey of life in taking decisions, in making the right choices, able to differentiate, able to prioritize. How we mold them today and give opportunities to them will decide their future.
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