CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS FOR CHILDREN

By Eliza Martinez

Critical thinking is something that is important for children as they learn and grow. According to Brainy Child, why, where, what and how questions stimulate a child's thought processes and gets them thinking about solutions and answers to problems they encounter in school and in life. There are several categories of critical thinking skills that children need to master as they get older.

Knowledge

Two of the most basic thinking skills are recall and recognition. Teaching this skill can start very young. For example, teaching a baby the names of animals is nurturing the skill of remembering things that are taught to them. Building a knowledge base draws out facts about many things, including words, math problems and color and shape recognition.

Comprehension

Comprehension is the skill whereby a child understands the meaning of information presented. This skill helps children translate things they have learned into meaningful facts. Comprehension skills include comprehending things that are read and math facts. Asking children to estimate and describe things can help build this skill.

Application

Being able to apply what a child has learned to a new

situation is a critical thinking skill that is important, as well. This is a skill that can be used in classification, experimentation and demonstration. Included in application skills is synthesis, which involves using previously learned facts and applying them to something that hasn't before been learned. Good application skills translates into being able to better master new knowledge.

Analysis

Analysis involves looking at knowledge in pieces and then examining it. Encouraging children to ask questions when learning something new is a good way to nurture analysis skills. Additionally, help children learn to answer their own questions by using their critical thinking skills.

Evaluation

Evaluation involves helping children learn to explain and summarize things that they have learned. In some instances, there may not be a clear right or wrong answer, but children learn to follow some general guidelines in being able to explain the things they have learned.