Teaching an exceptional child to think critically
Labels: Gifted Children
Parents, teaching your exceptional children to think critically from an early age is esay and will help them not to succomb to peer pressure later.
It’s never too early to teach your child how to think critically. By thinking critically, I do not mean thinking in a critical manner about others, instead; I mean, teach your child how to analyse. When, where, why, how, and what are very important words that should become everyday questions for your child if he is to think critically.
Analysing a situation, teaches him to see the reasoning behind the pros and cons of his actions. Explain the consequences, that if he does this, he will be happy and succeed, but if he does that, this is the danger involved. If he learns to think things out in a logical manner, he will develop a good shield against peer pressure because he will see the difference between his family’s values and those of others. But, just make sure that he doesn’t become conceited and think that his family’s ideas are the only correct ones.
Before you tell a child no, ask him why it’s not a good idea and then tell him your reasons for saying no. It only takes a few extra minutes but it will make him think and realize why your decision is correct and it will help remove any frustration and resentment.
Let him decide how he wants to spend his allowance but make sure that he realizes that once he has spent it, he can’t come running back for more. Show him the difference between people who squander their money on alcohol and drugs and those who spend their money wisely on items for the home or family.
When you hear a situation on the news or in the neighbourhood, ask him how that family feels. For example, if a child is in court because he was smoking pot and killed his best friend by accident, how would he feel it this happened to him. The more you get him to think about other people and how things work, the more he will realize, without your having to preach, the right path to follow in life.
Start at an early age arousing his curiosity, by showing him how things work. When you are fixing things or have a worker around, let him watch and learn, if he wants to, so he can see how things are done. It’s amazing how children who learn new skills stay out of trouble because they develop more self-esteem from their hobbies and are too busy to hang out with the bad crowd or party all the time. The more goals a child has for himself the more he will succeed.
Your child will never say I’m bored if you have motivated him enough. There are just too many, new, exciting, learning possibilities out there to discover, for children, who are inquisitive in the right way.
Being a parent is a difficult job and requires taking the time for your children. However, you will be rewarded when your children emerge as contributing adults, with a clear understanding of our society’s values, with regards to the legal, social, monetary, religious and political factors that help mould a good citizen. While, some other parents will be wishing that they had spent more time explaining things to their children, instead of having to visit them in jail, or worse still, at a grave site.
It’s never too early to teach your child how to think critically. By thinking critically, I do not mean thinking in a critical manner about others, instead; I mean, teach your child how to analyse. When, where, why, how, and what are very important words that should become everyday questions for your child if he is to think critically.
Analysing a situation, teaches him to see the reasoning behind the pros and cons of his actions. Explain the consequences, that if he does this, he will be happy and succeed, but if he does that, this is the danger involved. If he learns to think things out in a logical manner, he will develop a good shield against peer pressure because he will see the difference between his family’s values and those of others. But, just make sure that he doesn’t become conceited and think that his family’s ideas are the only correct ones.
Before you tell a child no, ask him why it’s not a good idea and then tell him your reasons for saying no. It only takes a few extra minutes but it will make him think and realize why your decision is correct and it will help remove any frustration and resentment.
Let him decide how he wants to spend his allowance but make sure that he realizes that once he has spent it, he can’t come running back for more. Show him the difference between people who squander their money on alcohol and drugs and those who spend their money wisely on items for the home or family.
When you hear a situation on the news or in the neighbourhood, ask him how that family feels. For example, if a child is in court because he was smoking pot and killed his best friend by accident, how would he feel it this happened to him. The more you get him to think about other people and how things work, the more he will realize, without your having to preach, the right path to follow in life.
Start at an early age arousing his curiosity, by showing him how things work. When you are fixing things or have a worker around, let him watch and learn, if he wants to, so he can see how things are done. It’s amazing how children who learn new skills stay out of trouble because they develop more self-esteem from their hobbies and are too busy to hang out with the bad crowd or party all the time. The more goals a child has for himself the more he will succeed.
Your child will never say I’m bored if you have motivated him enough. There are just too many, new, exciting, learning possibilities out there to discover, for children, who are inquisitive in the right way.
Being a parent is a difficult job and requires taking the time for your children. However, you will be rewarded when your children emerge as contributing adults, with a clear understanding of our society’s values, with regards to the legal, social, monetary, religious and political factors that help mould a good citizen. While, some other parents will be wishing that they had spent more time explaining things to their children, instead of having to visit them in jail, or worse still, at a grave site.