How do you try n teach your children how to think, not what to think ?

[LovelyYellowLabrador]

Ask their opinions ?
about current affairs or events

any other ideas

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It's a good question. There's the explaining different sides of an argument approach, different points of view - "some people think this, some people think that" - also could look at news in several different news sources and compare;
ask what are the pros and cons of an idea / plan; suggest ways of evaluating something eg is it a short-term solution or long-term solution; look at things in history that have been viewed in different ways at different times; etc etc

Good question! Yes, discuss things with them. Answer the 'whys', teach them how to find out for themselves at the appropriate ages and stages.

I would look into critical thinking tools and techniques and then practice those together in a fun way www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_95.htm

I've tried to teach my daughter about media biases. I used TV shows as an example.

So, for an example,
Some people love Bing bunny.
Some people don't
Some people hate Bing Bunny.

If a new episode of Bing Bunny comes out, who would you listen too to tell you of it's good or bad? Someone that likes it? Someone that doesnt? Or someone that hates it?

She said she wouldn't, she'd just watch it.

Fair answer i thought... Even though she is too old for bing bunny now.. 🤪

I think children do this naturally, but adults stamp it out. Some adults do it overtly, but even those teachers, parents and other adults who like to think they are encouraging children to express their own opinions, use ‘challenging questioning’ to ‘correct’ anything they don’t agree with.

I think it’s right to challenge racism, sexism, ageism, disability discrimination et al, but I am aware that there’s a conflict between espousing my values and allowing children to have their own opinions, which, let’s face it, do lean to the exclusionary.

Encourage debate. Even if you agree with whatever they are saying ask them "yes but what about..."

And let them know their opinions are valid, even if you disagree.

It's a really good question. Not sure that I know the answer but it's a vital life skill. We always tried to give DC choices even when they were tiny and lots of asking them 'why' they did/didn't want to do something. It didn't always work but helping them to articulate their thoughts and feelings is important.

There's a very good book about The Advice Trap - how do you stay curious for longer and try to avoid giving advice. We were asked to read it for a team event and actually it had a lot of great stuff that spills into parenting/general life.

Agree with all the above - also tell them
about situations see what they think. Let them argue and work things out.

for me the biggest thing is not to belittle their opinions on events.

Switch off the TV. Or even better, totally get rid of it.

Watching TV is a very passive experience that does not encourage reflection and independent thought. Reading is much better as it is more of a contemplative exercise.

as said above its about embracing the natural curiosity and not leading them down tne path of thinking everything any adult says is gospel truth. But also discuss the way to respect different views and model that.

Challenge their thinking around e.g. an election Ask them why they believe something.
Ask them what they would do differently.Encourage them to express an opinion.

They will watch you making decisions. Show them that you are curious, don't know everything, try to learn more about others' perspectives before rushing to judgement. Your behaviour is the biggest influence here.

Yes cutting children off from popular culture always works.

You know you can do both?

Also you can refuse to allow children the choice of what to watch on TV so they are stuck watching bits of documentaries where they ask questions.

Most of the stuff on TV isn't intended to make anyone question or think. If anything, the producers typically want the exact opposite reaction from viewers.

Top tips:

1. Whenever anyone starts waffling about 'The Science', you're probably watching a political show, rather than a proper, honest scientific debate.


2. Whenever a reporter starts asking someone how they 'feel' about an event, they're encouraging viewers to emote rather than think.

@YorkshireDude are you always so patronising?

Your question sounds like a variation of 'Do you still beat your wife?'

Tv can be used as a starting point as it were.

Even when my dc were small we could use something we'd watched to promote discussion. Eg "do we want to be more like Horrid Henry or Perfect Peter?"

Ask questions.

Follow up with Why do you think that?

Watch TV with them. Ask questions about what they've watched. ask about their books. Ask about doodles and paintings. Ask about feelings.

really good question, also want to follow this

My parents got a left wing and right wing paper so as I got older, I could clearly see the exact same basic story presented entirely differently. Helped me to question their opinions too. Harder to do now but access to a variety of information can help them think for themselves.

For older kids, I used to teach campaigning workshops. I used to share various takes on our campaigning issue so they could see what they thought and explain why certain stories got printed. Anything that gives them some threads to consider what they think - I also emphasised that I also had an opinion and they shouldn't just accept what I said simply because they know me. We then looked at how to check references/sources.

I've got an example then. My children (KS1) are at a C of E school that teaches about the bible. I'm not religious. We have books about evolution, went on hols to Lyme Regis to look for fossils, cultivated an interest in dinosaurs. I'm a greeny so the kids have been taught about photosynthesis, cells, evolution, through books, programmes and actively taught at home. Plus we have been litter picking, they help me at Friends of the Earth events and we have been on climate marches. But I tell them it's OK to listen to their teachers and that when they are older they will make up their own minds. While secretly crossing my fingers.

It happens naturally if you don't stamp it out. Don't tell them some topics are off limits eg never say it's rude to talk about politics money or religion!

Watch the news, read newspapers and talk about the news while they are around.

Take your kids with you to vote.

None of my kids agree with me about religion. That's fine, they got there on their own.

Just talk to them, nothing fancy. Listen to their opinions, question their opinions, let them question yours.
I have two bright, expressive, talkative girls with very definite opinions. Never consciously taught them how to think, DH and I have just talked to them, a lot, since the day they were born.

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