Critical thinking explained to kids

Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas. It includes the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking. In everyday life, people often use critical thinking to make decisions, solve problems, and evaluate information. Critical thinking is an important skill for students to learn, because it helps them to think more independently, make better decisions, and solve problems more effectively. There are a number of different ways to develop critical thinking skills. One effective way is to learn how to “dissect” arguments and identify the various parts of an argument ( premises, conclusions, etc.). Another effective way is to practice “thinking out loud”, which means verbalizing one's thoughts as they are being formed. This allows for a more thoughtful and deliberative thought process, and also allows for feedback from others. Critical thinking is an important skill for citizens to have in a democracy, because it helps them to make informed decisions about the issues that affect their lives. It is also an important skill for students to learn, because it will help them to be successful in school and in their future careers.