One of the Best Things You Can Do for Your Child’s Future: Critical Thinking
Norma Hollis, PhD
Trusted Authority on Authenticity-Based Leadership, Self-Awareness, and Organizational Development; Transformational Strategist for Individuals and Organizations; International Speaker/Trainer
It seems that one of the most essential skills children need on their educational journey is being neglected in many of today’s school systems—critical thinking.
Critical thinking is the ability to analyze information and draw conclusions based on the facts presented. It involves evaluating, assessing, and comparing information to determine a course of action, a next step, or a message to share. It’s a fundamental skill for problem-solving and decision-making.
However, there’s a major competitor in the arena of critical thinking—one that is quietly overtaking our children's thinking skills. It's happening right before our eyes, but many of us don’t even recognize it. If we did, we’d be raising the alarm and using our own critical thinking to address the situation.
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What am I talking about? Cell phones. They’ve become the primary tool for many of our cognitive tasks. Need to call someone? You find the number in your phone. Need to get somewhere? You rely on your phone’s GPS. When I speak to youth, I often ask, "How many of you know your mother’s phone number?" Less than half usually raise their hands. Then I ask, "What would you do in an emergency if you didn’t have your phone? How would you reach your mother?"
Every parent should make sure their children know their phone number and address as early as possible—and then continue to teach them critical facts about the world. I’m reminded of my uncle, who would have his four children sit quietly for 30 minutes each day and just think. He didn’t tell them what to think about—he simply wanted them to practice critical thinking. All four of his children grew up to have successful, self-sustaining careers. While I’m not saying critical thinking is the only factor in their success, I do believe it played a significant role.
How can you test your child’s critical thinking? Do they know your phone number? Do they know how to reach you in an emergency? Do they have a backup plan? How will you help them become critical thinkers for life? With so much of children’s learning now happening through computers and phones, what steps will you take to ensure critical thinking is not lost in your household?