How To Teach Children To Think

A few months ago, an article was published that caused controversy in the Spanish newspaper ABC, according to which 90% of the world population does not know how to think.

This statement comes from doctor and philosopher Robert Swartz. Anyone who knows anything about his publications and the educational centers he runs around the world will know that Dr. Swartz doesn’t just want (concerned) parents to enroll their children in these schools.

The famous philosopher also wants to highlight certain data, but which, at the same time, have given rise to many controversies. Most of us focus on things very objectively and rationally, have lost flexibility and the ability to think more critically, more creatively.

It is possible that, following this point of view and this  more “vertical than lateral” thinking, that is a more linear, classified and rather rigid reasoning, we lose that spontaneity that allows us, for example, to manage daily stress much better or the typical problems of everyday life.

A thought that knows how to talk about emotions, that identifies them, understands them and that, in turn, gives priority to curiosity, a critical sense and openness to everything that surrounds it, is a freer thought capable of making happier.

Not long ago we told you about Maria Montessori’s pedagogy. Undoubtedly, many of its principles can be used to promote freer and more creative thinking in children. Nevertheless, the role of the mother, the father, the grandparents, etc., is as important in the education of children as that of the school.

How about starting to practice these simple tips for “teaching children to think”?

1. The child is unique and important

A mistake that is often seen in school education today is the tendency to “build” children who are all the same, with the same mentality and the same teachings. Eventually, you get “serial” minds and children who all think alike.

It is necessary to promote in the child the idea that he is unique, special and important. He is a person who can offer a lot, so it doesn’t matter if he comes home with a science or math deficiency.

There is undoubtedly a potential in him / her that he / she must learn to explore and for this, as parents, one must give security and support from an early childhood. If they feel the support and value given to every word, idea or reasoning, they will be confident enough to move forward.

2. Educate on the subject of emotions

To teach how to think, it is essential that children understand as soon as possible how the world of emotions works. Developing empathy, for example, is essential for their growth as “social people”.

A mind that understands what sadness is and knows how to manage it, that knows how to identify inner anger and that learns to channel it, is a wise mind because it knows how to understand itself and others.

The education of children does not begin when they are 3 or 4 years old, when the school stage begins. Education, as well as teaching to think, begins the moment they come into the world.

A child who feels caresses, who feels loved from day one, installs in his brain a type of emotional and social learning that is fundamental tomorrow day.

3. The importance of knowing how to reflect and listen to one’s thoughts

Learning to be alone with oneself is another fundamental pillar of the mature and balanced thinking of a person who does not need others to make decisions or to know what he wants.

Get the children to think more, think about the consequences before saying or doing something. Furthermore, it is vital to promote their independence and maturity, avoid unhealthy attachments and over-protection.

A child who knows how to be alone and who does not get nervous when not with others is a safe child.

Provide them with books,  even if they have not yet undertaken the reading and writing process. Let them touch, handle and look at the drawings as if they were dear friends who then, when they know how to read, will allow them to reach incredible worlds where they can learn and reflect.

4. Promote creativity

Stop them from ” losing the inner child ” as they grow up. For this reason, their curiosity must always be promoted with rewards, stimuli, projects to undertake, themes to research and with which to learn and have fun at the same time.

A creative child is a freer adult the next day. Develop their imaginative skills, their hunger to learn and that curiosity for their surroundings that they must never lose.

5. Yes to the critical sense

Do not obsess about making your children become like “you want them to be”. Each of them, like ourselves , has their own personality that must be respected at any time.

Let them have their own ideas and opinions and let them know how to support them. Do not allow the child to have a single view of things. If they are studying a specific topic at school, encourage them to be critical, to seek other opinions and points of view.

Make sure that they have “voice and ideas”, that they have their own opinions on everything and that their way of thinking is critical and flexible, not a “standardized” mind that gets carried away, instead of defending itself.

I know only one freedom, and that is the freedom of the mind

Antonie de Saint-Exupéry

Images courtesy of Lita burke and Katy hare