Teaching Kids to Think Critically

This book is based on a simple series of psychological concepts. While ability to think has always been important, the knowledge economy significantly increases the demand for higher order thinking and problem-solving abilities. Parents should take a much more active role in teaching their children to think. Early preschool years are critical because long-term attitudes and early strategies are learned then. Approaches and perspectives on learning to think can be clearly communicated to parents in ways which will make it possible for them to use the correct strategies to stimulate their students to think more clearly and critically. There are five elements involved in good, logical, critical, and creative thinking:1. The skills involved in effective, efficient, and lasting learning, or commonly referred to as cognitive processing strategies2. The mastery of logic and structure of what is being learned3. Awareness of what one knows and does not know, and how one knows and how one thinks4. The standards or guidelines for the validity and reliability of what one knows, called intellectual standards5. The knowledge and skills involved in critical thinking and solving problems in different subjects or domains

“This timely book by Dr. Clifton Chadwick is a work of scholarly importance for all who care about the future success of our children.”

 It contains the practical advice and theoretical foundation for helping all children master the critical thinking skills needed in learning and life. For the adults in the lives of these children, the information is clearly presented with interesting examples from multiple disciplines and content areas. This is a must-read for all those interested in helping children acquire the thinking skills needed for learning and life in our rapidly changing 21st century and beyond. -- Barbara L. McCombs, Ph.D., senior research scientist and director, Human Motivation, Learning, and Development Center, University of Denver, Colorado
Dr. Chadwick uses Rudyard Kipling’s poem about “Six serving men”, who “Taught me all I knew”- “What, Why, When, How, Where and Who”, to introduce the principles of effectively using questions in teaching and learning. He also applies these principles throughout the book to present a complex subject in a clear format that answers our questions about: what is critical thinking, and why it is important; why schools often fail to teach it; when, how, and where (including in the home) should it be taught, and who can teach it. The book’s answer to this last question focuses on “You, the parent”, but I believe the book may equally help many teachers. -- Alexander Romiszowski, Ph.D., professor of instructional design, development, and evaluation, Syracuse University School of Education, and international consultant, TTS-Global
Clear, concise, and practical, this excellent book is the perfect way to school-proof your child from an educational system that no longer teachers children how to think. -- Roger Kaufman, Ph.D., CPT, ABBP, professor emeritus, Florida State University, and distinguished research professor, Sonora (Mexico) Institute of Technology
In the age of knowledge work, higher-order thinking skills are more important to success and happiness than ever. However, schools are not very effective in teaching or testing such skills, so children have to rely largely on their parents to teach them. This book offers an innovative conception of five elements of good thinking: logic and structure, learning strategies, metacognition, intellectual standards, and problem solving. A chapter on each element uses plain language to help the reader understand the element, followed by highly useful, practical tips for the reader to stimulate improved thinking in a child. I highly recommend it for all parents and teachers. -- Charles M. Reigeluth, author of Reinventing Schools: It’s Time to Break the Mold

With forty years of experience helping ministries of education throughout the world (Central and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East), Dr. Clifton Chadwick is a decisive leader in the development of the concepts of cognitive strategies, metacognition, and affective variables in learning. He has extensive experience in curriculum, evaluation of learning, project evaluation, textbooks and educational materials, educational technology, teacher training and evaluation.

This book is based on a simple series of psychological concepts. While ability to think has always been important, the knowledge economy significantly increases the demand for higher order thinking and problem-solving abilities. Parents should take a much more active role in teaching their children to think. Early preschool years are critical because long-term attitudes and early strategies are learned then. Approaches and perspectives on learning to think can be clearly communicated to parents in ways which will make it possible for them to use the correct strategies to stimulate their students to think more clearly and critically. There are five elements involved in good, logical, critical, and creative thinking: 1. The skills involved in effective, efficient, and lasting learning, or commonly referred to as cognitive processing strategies 2. The mastery of logic and structure of what is being learned 3. Awareness of what one knows and does not know, and how one knows and how one thinks 4. The standards or guidelines for the validity and reliability of what one knows, called intellectual standards 5. The knowledge and skills involved in critical thinking and solving problems in different subjects or domains

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