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How to Teach Your Child to Be a Critical Thinker

Blue Planet Studio / iStockphoto

What Is Critical Thinking?

• Importance of Critical Thinking

Benefits of Critical Thinking Skills

• Teach Kids to Be Critical Thinkers

Every day kids are bombarded with messages, information, and images. Whether they are at school, online, or talking to their friends, they need to know how to evaluate what they are hearing and seeing in order to form their own opinions and beliefs. Critical thinking skills are the foundation of education as well as an important life skill. Without the ability to think critically, kids will struggle academically, especially as they get older.

In fact, no matter what your child plans to do professionally someday, they will need to know how to think critically, solve problems, and make decisions. As a parent, it's important that you ensure that your kids can think for themselves and have developed a healthy critical mindset before they leave the nest.

Doing so will help them succeed both academically and professionally as well as benefit their future relationships. Here is what you need to know about critical thinking, including how to teach your kids to be critical thinkers.

Critical thinking skills are the ability to imagine, analyze, and evaluate information in order to determine its integrity and validity, such as what is factual and what isn't. These skills help people form opinions and ideas as well as help them know who is being a good friend and who isn't.

"Critical thinking also can involve taking a complex problem and developing clear solutions," says Amy Morin, LCSW, a psychotherapist and author of the best-selling books "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do" and "13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don't Do."

In fact, critical thinking is an essential part of problem-solving, decision-making, and goal-setting . It also is the basis of education, especially when combined with reading comprehension . These two skills together allow kids to master information.

Why Critical Thinking Skills Are Important

According to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which evaluated 15-year-old children in 44 different countries, more than one in six students in the United States are unable to solve critical thinking problems. What's more, research indicates that kids who lack critical thinking skills face a higher risk of behavioral problems.

If kids are not being critical thinkers, then they are not thinking carefully, says Amanda Pickerill, Ph.D. Pickerill is licensed with the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Board of Psychology and is in practice at the Ohio State School for the Blind in Columbus, Ohio.

"Not thinking carefully [and critically] can lead to information being misconstrued; [and] misconstrued information can lead to problems in school, work, and relationships," she says.

Critical thinking also allows kids to gain a deeper understanding of the world including how they see themselves in that world. Additionally, kids who learn to think critically tend to be observant and open-minded.

Amy Morin, LCSW

Critical thinking skills can help someone better understand themselves, other people, and the world around them. [They] can assist in everyday problem-solving, creativity, and productivity.

There are many ways critical thinking skills can benefit your child, Dr. Pickerill says. From being able to solve complex problems in school and determining how they feel about particular issues to building relationships and dealing with peer pressure, critical thinking skills equip your child to deal with life's challenges and obstacles.

"Critical thinking skills [are beneficial] in solving a math problem, in comparing and contrasting [things], and when forming an argument," Dr. Pickerill says. "As a psychologist, I find critical thinking skills also to be helpful in self-reflection. When an individual is struggling to reach a personal goal or to maintain a satisfactory relationship it is very helpful to apply critical thinking."

Critical thinking also fosters independence, enhances creativity, and encourages curiosity. Kids who are taught to use critical thinking skills ask a lot of questions and never just take things at face value—they want to know the "why" behind things.

"Good critical thinking skills also can lead to better relationships, reduced distress, and improved life satisfaction," says Morin. "Someone who can solve everyday problems is likely to feel more confident in their ability to handle whatever challenges life throws their way."

How to Teach Kids to Be Critical Thinkers

Teaching kids to think critically is an important part of parenting. In fact, when we teach kids to be critical thinkers, we are also teaching them to be independent . They learn to form their own opinions and come to their own conclusions without a lot of outside influence. Here are some ways that you can teach your kids to become critical thinkers.

Be a Good Role Model

Sometimes the best way to teach your kids an important life skill is to model it in your own life. After all, kids tend to copy the behaviors they see in their parents. Be sure you are modeling critical thinking in your own life by researching things that sound untrue and challenging statements that seem unethical or unfair.

"Parents, being the critical thinkers that they are, can begin modeling critical thinking from day one by verbalizing their thinking skills," Dr. Pickerill says. "It’s great for children to hear how parents critically think things through. This modeling of critical thinking allows children to observe their parents' thought processes and that modeling lends itself to the child imitating what [they have] observed."

Play With Them

Children are constantly learning by trial and error and play is a great trial and error activity, says Dr, Pickerill. In fact, regularly playing with your child at a very young age is setting the foundation for critical thinking and the depth of their critical thinking skills will advance as they develop, she says.

"You will find your child’s thinking will be more on a concrete level in the earlier years and as they advance in age it will become more abstract," Dr. Pickerill says. "Peer play is also helpful in developing critical thinking skills but parents need to be available to assist when conflicts arise or when bantering takes a turn for the worse."

As your kids get older, you can play board games together or simply spend time talking about something of interest to them. The key is that you are spending quality time together that allows you the opportunity to discuss things on a deeper level and to examine issues critically.

Teach Them to Solve Problems

Morin says one way to teach kids to think critically is to teach them how to solve problems. For instance, ask them to brainstorm at least five different ways to solve a particular problem, she says.

"You might challenge them to move an object from one side of the room to the other without using their hands," she says. "At first, they might think it’s impossible. But with a little support from you, they might see there are dozens of solutions (like using their feet or putting on gloves). Help them brainstorm a variety of solutions to the same problem and then pick one to see if it works."

Over time, you can help your kids see that there are many ways to view and solve the same problem, Morin says.

Encourage Them to Ask Questions

As exhausting as it can be at times to answer a constant barrage of questions, it's important that you encourage your child to question things. Asking questions is the basis of critical thinking and the time you invest in answering your child's questions—or finding the answers together— will pay off in the end.

Your child will learn not only learn how to articulate themselves, but they also will get better and better at identifying untrue or misleading information or statements from others. You also can model this type of questioning behavior by allowing your child to see you question things as well.

Practice Making Choices

Like everything in life, your child will often learn through trial and error. And, part of learning to be a critical thinker involves making decisions. One way that you can get your child thinking about and making choices is to give them a say in how they want to spend their time.

Allow them to say no thank-you to playdates or party invitations if they want. You also can give them an allowance and allow them to make some choices about what to do with the money. Either of these scenarios requires your child to think critically about their choices and the potential consequences before they make a decision.

As they get older, talk to them about how to deal with issues like bullying and peer pressure . And coach them on how to make healthy choices regarding social media use . All of these situations require critical thinking on your child's part.

Encourage Open-Mindedness

Although teaching open-mindedness can be a challenging concept to teach at times, it is an important one. Part of becoming a critical thinker is the ability to be objective and evaluate ideas without bias.

Teach your kids that in order to look at things with an open mind, they need leave their own judgments and assumptions aside. Some concepts you should be talking about that encourage open-mindedness include diversity , inclusiveness , and fairness.

A Word From Verywell

Developing a critical mindset is one of the most important life skills you can impart to your kids. In fact, in today's information-saturated world, they need these skills in order to thrive and survive. These skills will help them make better decisions, form healthy relationships, and determine what they value and believe.

Plus, when you teach your kids to critically examine the world around them, you are giving them an advantage that will serve them for years to come—one that will benefit them academically, professionally, and relationally. In the end, they will not only be able to think for themselves, but they also will become more capable adults someday.

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA): Results from PISA 2012 problem-solving .

Sun RC, Hui EK. Cognitive competence as a positive youth development construct: a conceptual review .  ScientificWorldJournal . 2012;2012:210953. doi:10.1100/2012/210953

Ghazivakili Z, Norouzi Nia R, Panahi F, Karimi M, Gholsorkhi H, Ahmadi Z. The role of critical thinking skills and learning styles of university students in their academic performance .  J Adv Med Educ Prof . 2014;2(3):95-102. PMID:25512928

Schmaltz RM, Jansen E, Wenckowski N. Redefining critical thinking: teaching students to think like scientists .  Front Psychol . 2017;8:459. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00459

By Sherri Gordon Sherri Gordon, CLC is a published author, certified professional life coach, and bullying prevention expert. 

‘Why’ Questions for Kids: Encouraging Curiosity and Learning

Do you ever find yourself frustrated by your child’s incessant questioning? While it can be exhausting to answer “why” after “why,” encouraging your child’s curiosity is actually incredibly beneficial for their development. In fact, asking and answering “why” questions is a crucial part of a child’s learning process.

Understanding Why Questions Asking “why” questions helps children develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the world around them. By questioning the reasons behind things, children are able to make connections and draw conclusions, which leads to a more comprehensive understanding of concepts.

How to Encourage Why Questions Encouraging your child to ask “why” questions is simple: just be patient and take the time to answer their questions. Even if you don’t know the answer, you can work with your child to find out together. Additionally, you can model curiosity by asking “why” questions yourself and showing excitement when your child asks questions.

Key Takeaways

• Asking and answering “why” questions is crucial for a child’s development.
• Encouraging your child to ask “why” questions helps them develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
• To encourage “why” questions, be patient, take the time to answer, and model curiosity yourself.

Understanding Why Questions

As a parent or teacher, you may have noticed that children love to ask “why” questions. While these questions may sometimes be frustrating or seem never-ending, they are actually an important part of a child’s development. In this section, we will explore the importance of why questions and how they relate to a child’s developmental stages.

Importance of Why Questions

Why questions are a natural part of a child’s curiosity and desire to learn about the world around them. By asking why, children are able to gain a deeper understanding of how things work and the reasons behind them. This helps to develop critical thinking skills and encourages children to explore their own ideas and thoughts.

Why questions also help children to build their vocabulary and language skills. When children ask why, they are often seeking clarification or more information. This encourages adults to explain concepts in more detail and use more complex language, which can help to expand a child’s vocabulary and understanding.

Developmental Stages and Why Questions

The types of why questions that children ask can vary depending on their developmental stage. Younger children may ask more concrete why questions, such as “Why is the sky blue?” or “Why do birds fly?” These questions are often related to their immediate surroundings and experiences.

As children get older, their why questions may become more abstract and philosophical. They may ask questions such as “Why do we exist?” or “Why is there war?” These questions are often related to their growing understanding of the world and their place in it.

It is important to encourage children to ask why questions and to take the time to answer them. By doing so, you are helping to foster their natural curiosity and love of learning, and helping them to develop critical thinking and language skills.

How to Encourage Why Questions

Encouraging why questions is an important part of a child’s development. By asking why, kids develop critical thinking skills, curiosity, and a desire to learn. Here are some tips for encouraging why questions:

Creating an Inquisitive Environment

Creating an environment that encourages questions is essential. Kids should feel comfortable asking questions and know that their questions will be taken seriously. Here are some ways to create an inquisitive environment:

• Encourage curiosity: Encourage your child’s curiosity by providing opportunities for exploration and discovery. Take them to museums, parks, and other places where they can learn new things.
• Be patient: Be patient when your child asks questions. Don’t rush them or make them feel like their question is not important.
• Ask questions: Ask your child questions to encourage them to think critically. For example, if they ask why the sky is blue, you could ask them what they think.
• Model curiosity: Show your child that you are curious by asking questions yourself. This will encourage them to do the same.

Guiding Kids to Ask Why

Guiding kids to ask why is an important part of encouraging their curiosity. Here are some ways to guide your child to ask why:

• Start with open-ended questions: Start with open-ended questions that encourage your child to think. For example, instead of asking “Did you have fun at school today?” ask “What did you do at school today?”
• Encourage follow-up questions: When your child asks a question, encourage them to ask follow-up questions. This will help them to dig deeper and learn more.
• Use books: Read books with your child that encourage asking questions. For example, “Why Do Leaves Change Color?” by Betsy Maestro is a great book for encouraging why questions.
• Use technology: Use technology to encourage why questions. For example, watch educational videos with your child and encourage them to ask questions about what they are learning.

Encouraging why questions is an important part of a child’s development. By creating an inquisitive environment and guiding your child to ask why, you can help them develop critical thinking skills, curiosity, and a desire to learn.

Answering Why Questions

Responding to curiosity.

Children are naturally curious and asking “why” is one of the ways they try to understand the world around them. As a parent or caregiver, it is important to encourage this curiosity and help your child learn new things. When your child asks “why” questions, try to respond in a clear and concise manner. Use simple language and provide examples to help your child understand.

Here are some tips for responding to “why” questions:

• Be patient and take the time to answer your child’s questions.
• Use examples to help your child understand complex concepts.
• Encourage your child to ask follow-up questions to deepen their understanding.
• Use visual aids such as pictures or diagrams to help explain concepts.
• Avoid using technical jargon or complex language that your child may not understand.

Dealing with Difficult Why Questions

Sometimes, children may ask difficult or uncomfortable “why” questions that may catch you off guard. It is important to remain calm and answer these questions in an age-appropriate manner. Here are some tips for dealing with difficult “why” questions:

• Remain calm and composed when answering difficult questions.
• Provide honest answers that are appropriate for your child’s age and level of understanding.
• Use language that your child can understand and avoid using euphemisms or vague language.
• If you don’t know the answer, be honest and tell your child that you will find out together.
• Use the opportunity to teach your child about empathy and understanding different perspectives.

By responding to your child’s “why” questions in a patient and informative manner, you can help them develop a deeper understanding of the world around them and encourage their natural curiosity.

Why Questions to Ask Kids

Asking children “why” questions can be a great way to engage their curious minds and encourage critical thinking. Here are some examples of educational and fun “why” questions to ask kids.

Educational Why Questions

Asking educational “why” questions can help children learn about cause and effect, develop reasoning skills, and expand their knowledge. Here are some examples of educational “why” questions to ask kids:

• Why do we need to eat healthy foods?
• Why do some animals hibernate during the winter?
• Why is it important to recycle?

Asking these types of questions can spark interesting conversations and encourage children to think more deeply about the world around them.

Fun Why Questions

Asking fun “why” questions can be a great way to get kids laughing and thinking creatively. Here are some examples of fun “why” questions to ask kids:

• Why do dogs wag their tails?
• Why do we have to go to bed at night?

Why do we celebrate birthdays?

Asking these types of questions can help children develop their imaginations and encourage them to explore new ideas.

Overall, asking “why” questions can be a fun and educational way to engage children’s minds and encourage critical thinking. So the next time you’re looking for a way to spark a conversation with a child, try asking them a “why” question and see where the conversation takes you!

In conclusion, asking questions is an essential part of a child’s development. It helps them to learn and understand the world around them. By asking questions, children can develop critical thinking skills, improve their language abilities, and gain knowledge about different subjects.

As a parent or teacher, it’s important to encourage children to ask questions and provide them with opportunities to do so. You can do this by creating a safe and supportive environment where children feel comfortable asking questions without fear of judgement or criticism.

It’s also important to be patient and take the time to answer their questions in a way that is age-appropriate and easy to understand. This will help to build their confidence and encourage them to continue asking questions.

Remember, asking questions is a natural part of a child’s development and should be encouraged. By doing so, you can help them to become curious, knowledgeable, and confident individuals who are eager to learn and explore the world around them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the sky blue.

The sky appears blue because of the way the Earth’s atmosphere scatters sunlight. Sunlight is made up of different colors, and blue light is scattered more than other colors, making it more visible to our eyes.

Why do we have to sleep?

Sleep is important for our bodies and brains to rest and recharge. When we sleep, our bodies repair and regenerate tissues, and our brains consolidate memories and process information.

Why do we need to eat healthy?

Eating healthy foods provides our bodies with the nutrients and energy we need to function properly. A balanced diet can help us maintain a healthy weight, prevent chronic diseases, and improve our overall well-being.

Why do people get sick?

People can get sick for many reasons, including infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens. Other factors that can contribute to illness include environmental toxins, genetic predispositions, and lifestyle choices.

Why do we have to go to school?

Going to school provides us with the knowledge and skills we need to succeed in life. It helps us develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, and prepares us for future careers and opportunities.

Birthdays are a way to celebrate the anniversary of our birth and mark the passage of time. They are also an opportunity to show appreciation for the people in our lives and to reflect on our accomplishments and goals.

Kids Who Learn

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Conversations with Children! Asking Questions That Stretch Children’s Thinking

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When we ask children questions—especially big, open-ended questions—we support their language development and critical thinking. We can encourage them to tell us about themselves and talk about the materials they are using, their ideas, and their reflections.

This is the fifth and final article in this TYC series about asking questions that support rich conversations. During the past year, Conversations with Children! has documented and analyzed the many different types of questions teachers ask and the rich discussions with children that flowed from those questions. The series has explored children’s interests, considered their developmental needs, respected their cultural perspectives, and highlighted their language development and thinking.

Using an adaptation of Bloom’s Taxonomy to think about the types of questions teachers ask children, this article focuses on intentionally using questions that challenge children to analyze, evaluate, and create. This can increase the back-and-forth dialogues teachers have with children—stretching children’s thinking!

For this article, I spent the morning in a classroom of 3- and 4-year-olds, located in a large, urban elementary school in Passaic, New Jersey. All 15 children spoke both Spanish and English (with varying levels of English proficiency), as did their teacher and assistant teacher. The teachers in this classroom stretch their conversations with children, having extended exchanges in both languages by listening to and building on children’s answers.

Understanding Different Types of Questions

Bloom’s Taxonomy has long been used as a way to think about the types of questions we ask students. We have adapted it for young children. Although Remember has mostly right or wrong one-word answers and Create invites use of the imagination and answers that are complex and unique to each child, these levels are just guides. It is up to you to consider which types of questions are appropriate for each child you work with. The lower levels form the foundation for the higher ones.

identify, name, count, repeat, recall

describe, discuss, explain, summarize​

explain why, dramatize, identify with/relate to

recognize change, experiment, infer, compare, contrast

express opinion, judge, defend/criticize

make, construct, design, author

A conversation about building with cups in the makerspace

A conversation between the teacher and two children began during planning time and continued as the children built in the makerspace.

During planning time

Teacher : I am excited to see how you will build with the cups. Do you have any idea how you will build with them? ( Analyze )

Child 1 : I will show you what I can do. ( He draws his plan on a piece of paper .)

Child 2 : I want to work with the cups too.

Teacher : Maybe you can collaborate and share ideas.

Child 2 : Yeah, we can work together.

Child 1 : We can build a tower.

Teacher : I wonder how tall it will be. I am very curious. I wonder, what will you do with the cups? ( Create ) I can’t wait to see!

Later, as the first child is building

Teacher : Can you describe what you did? ( Understand )

Child : I put these two and put these one at a time and then these two.

Teacher : How did you stack these differently? ( Analyze ) (The child doesn’t respond.)

Teacher : I noticed you stacked this one and this one in a diff erent way. How did you stack them differently? ( Analyze )

Child : (He becomes excited, pointing.) I show you!

Teacher : Please demonstrate!

Child : I knew what my idea was. (He shows the teacher how he stacked the cups.)

Teacher : Can you describe what parts of the cups were touching? ( Understand )

Child : The white part. Teacher: Oh, that is called the rim of the cup. How did you stack this one? ( Apply )

Child : I was trying and trying and trying!

Teacher : So you are stacking the rims together. And how is this stack different? ( Analyze )

Child : This one is the right way and this one is down.

Teacher : Oh, this one is right side up and this one is upside down!

A conversation about creating a zoo in the block area

The children were preparing for a visit to a local zoo. After listening to the teacher read several books about zoos, one child worked on building structures in the block area to house giraff es and elephants.

Teacher : I am excited to see how you are building the enclosures.

Child : It fell down and I’m making it different.

Teacher : So it fell down and now you’re thinking about building it a different way. Architects do that; they talk about the stability of the structure. How can you make it sturdier so it doesn’t fall? ( Evaluate )

Child : I’m trying to make a watering place for the elephant to drink water. I have to make it strong so he can drink and the water doesn’t go out.

Teacher : Maybe you can be the architect and draw the plans and your friend can be the engineer and build it. How do you feel about that? ( Evaluate )

Child : I’m gonna ask him.

A conversation about coding with robots

The children had been using the Ozobot Bit, a small robot that introduces children to coding, for many months. Because these robots are programmed to follow lines and respond to specific  color patterns (e.g., coloring small segments of the line blue, red, and green will make the robot turn right), preschoolers engage in a basic form of coding just by drawing lines. In this conversation, the teacher helps a child develop his own code.

Teacher : So tell me: what do we have to do first? ( Understand )

Child : (He draws as he speaks.) You have to keep going.

Teacher : Why do we have to do it that way first? ( Apply )

Child : Because have to draw it ’fore it can go. And you don’t draw it, it don’t go nowhere. Wanna see?

Teacher : So if it’s not on the line, it won’t go anywhere. It only goes on the line.

Child : Yeah.

Teacher : Okay. So are there any rules you have to follow? What rules do I need to know? ( Apply , Analyze , Evaluate )

Child : You can’t stop it with your hand. . . . And if you want to make another one, first you have to turn it off and then you make another one. (He demonstrates with four markers how to code on the paper and then puts the robot on the line.) Now it going backwards.

Teacher : So how could you fix it so it continues? ( Analyze , Evaluate , Create )

Child : (He makes the black line on the paper thicker and retries the Ozobot, but it still stops and turns around.)

Teacher : How can you fix it? Try something else to solve the problem. What should we try next? ( Analyze , Evaluate , Create )

Child : I gonna do the whole thing again. (The child starts drawing the code.)

A conversation to stretch dramatic play

A child held a baby doll and a girl doll as the teacher entered the dramatic play area.

Teacher : Tell me about the baby. ( Apply )

Child : This girl has a baby. We going to the doctor because we all sick.

Teacher : How do you think the doctor will help you get better? ( Evaluate )

Child : The doctor has to check my heart and then he gonna check my mouth.

Teacher : So what can you do to help your friends get better after the doctor checks your mouth and heart? How will you take care of them and yourself? ( Apply , Analyze , Evaluate )

Child : They go to bed back home and go to sleep.

Teacher : And what will you do? Tell me more about that. ( Apply , Analyze , Evaluate )

Child : I’m going read them a book.

Teacher : Oh, that is such a good idea! Do you have a special book in mind? ( Understand , Apply )

Child : (She nods her head in affirmation and smiles broadly.) I have a special book. (She holds up My House: A Book in Two Languages/Mi Casa: Un Libro en Dos Lenguas , by Rebecca Emberley.)

Teacher : Will you read the book to me? I’ll pretend that I am sick and I am in the bed and you can read the book to me. (The child gives the teacher a small blanket.) You are giving me my blankie. You read and I’ll listen. ( Apply , Create ) (The child invents her own story as she turns the pages.)

As the teacher, it’s up to you, the one who knows your students best in an educational setting, to decide which questions are appropriate for which children during a particular interaction. It can be challenging to develop and ask questions that engage children in analyzing, evaluating, and creating, such as, “If you could come to school any way you wanted, how would you get here? Why?” But questions that each child will answer in her own way are well worth the effort!

Note : Thank you, Megan (teacher), Ms. Perez (assistant teacher), and all of the wonderful students who taught me so much about coding! In addition to being the teacher, Megan King is the author of the chapter “A Makerspace in the Science Area” in the book Big Questions for Young Minds: Extending Children’s Thinking . And a great big final thank-you to the five preschool classrooms that invited me into their worlds, sharing their questions and conversations with TYC readers.

Suggestions for Intentionally Stretching Conversations with Young Children Ÿ

• Make sure to allow plenty of wait time for children to process what you are saying, think about it, and answer. Give them at least a few seconds, but vary this according to the children’s needs. Ÿ  
• Listen to the children’s responses. Use active listening strategies: make eye contact, encourage children to share their ideas, and restate or summarize what they say. Ÿ  
• Ask another quesiton or make a comment after the child answers. If you aren’t sure how to respond, you can almost always say, “What else can we add to that?” or “Tell me more about that.”

More high-level questions to spark conversations

In the makerspace: Ÿ

• Which material worked better in this experiment? Why? ( Analyze ) Ÿ  
• What are some reasons your machine worked/didn’t work? How will you change it now? ( Evaluate ) Ÿ  
• What will you be constructing today? Can you draw your plans? ( Create )

In the block area: Ÿ

• How is the house you built different from/the same as your home? ( Analyze ) Ÿ  
• What do you think would happen if we removed this block to make a doorway or window? ( Evaluate ) Ÿ  
• How will you create on paper the house you want to build? What details will you write or draw so you can remember what you want to build in case you don’t have time to finish today? ( Create )

With robots: Ÿ

• Why do you think the robot got stuck? ( Evaluate ) Ÿ  
• Why didn’t the code work this time? ( Evaluate ) Ÿ  
• How will you design a game for the robots to play? ( Create )

During dramatic play:

• Ÿ How could you turn this piece of fabric into part of your costume? ( Analyze ) Ÿ  
• How could we change the house area to make it cozier for the babies? ( Evaluate ) Ÿ  
• I wrote down the story you told your patient when she said she was afraid of the dentist. Can you illustrate the story to make a picture book? ( Create )

Photographs: Courtesy of the author

Janis Strasser,  EdD, is a teacher educator and coordinator of the MEd in Curriculum and Learning Early Childhood concentration at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey. She has worked in the field of early childhood for more than 40 years.

Vol. 12, No. 3

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150 Fun Critical Thinking Questions For Kids, Teens, & Adults

Critical thinking questions for kids get them thinking and questioning. To go beyond rote learning.

The reason they excel later in life will not be based on the information they memorized. But instead on how well they think, make decisions, communicate, and use their creativity.

These questions are designed to help them build these essential skills.

What makes a good critical thinking question?

Open ended questions are perfect for encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving. Kids (and grown-ups) have to think about their answers. Below you will find the best age-appropriate examples to use in the classroom, at home, or during your everyday routine .

In fact, there’s no question about it. Critical thinking is important for kids. And adults too!

Good Questions For Kindergarten To Think Critically

Younger kids need more concrete questions. These critical thinking questions will help them use reasoning and think deeply, even when they are small.

1. How do you know if something was a good decision?

2. How are these two things similar?

3. What are the differences between _______ and _________?

4. How would you feel if __________?

This question is great for building empathy .

5. Who was the main character? Why do you say that?

6. When is ___________ a problem?

7. What is the problem?

8. Why is this a problem?

9. What did you notice about _________?

10. Do you think he/she sees this the same way you do? Why or why not?

11. Has this happened before?

12. Do you think it will happen again? Why do you think this?

13. What is your opinion about _________? Why?

14. Is this appropriate? Why or why not?

15. What do you think would happen if __________?

16. What caused this to happen?

17. Do you think the world would be better if __________?

18. If you were in charge, what would you do differently?

19. Where can you find out more about this?

20. What does ______ mean?

21. Do you agree?

22. Can you give me an example of ________?

23. How do you know?

24. How would you solve this problem?

25. What makes something weird? What makes something normal?

Questions For Students: Elementary Through Middle School

For this age of kids, use any of the examples above and try these more abstract critical thinking questions too.

26. What do you think was the turning point?

27. Is there evidence to support your opinion (or decision)?

28. What does the evidence tell you?

29. What do you think would have been a better ending to… (book, movie, story)

30. When is the best time to start this?

31. When you think about solving a problem, where do you like to start?

32. What character/person changed the most? Why do you think this?

33. How could the author have created a thrilling twist in this story?

34. Who could help you with this? Why would they be a good fit to help?

35. Why is this important?

36. Why do you think ________ said that?

37. Why did the __________ (author, speaker) write/say this?

38. How does an idea grow? Or how does someone get from being a beginner to being an expert?

39. Do you think that what happened is what they meant to happen?

(Often, results are different than what people first think they will be.)

40. What can you use to help you decide?

41. What are the pros and cons of this?

42. Why is this happening?

43. What is the main message from this? (Or the lesson learned?)

44. What would you ask the author (speaker, etc.) if you could?

45. Do you have any questions about this?

46. Do you think it is too good to be true?

47. Can you defend these actions?

48. Compare this with this.

49. What would the world be like if ________? (kids were in charge, the sun was farther away, etc.)

50. Do you think there is a better alternative?

51. Is this person trustworthy? Why or why not?

52. At what age does someone stop being a kid? Why?

53. Can you see why someone would agree or disagree?

54. How would this ________ benefit or help others?

55. How will you know if your idea worked?

56. What is wrong with this situation?

57. What is good in this situation?

58. If someone were to argue your point, what do you think they would say?

59. Why do you think the character/person did that?

60. Is this fact or opinion? How do you know?

61. Was this change for the better? Or did it make things worse?

62. Who is most likely to _________? Why?

63. What do you think are the consequences of this decision?

64. Do you think we are asking the right question(s)? What is a different question instead?

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Critical Thinking Questions For High School & College Students

These critical thinking questions are more complex. They encourage abstract thinking, plus explore logic, ethics, and reasoning.

65. Why did you make that decision?

66. How did you get to that decision? What was your thought process?

67. What are the advantages of this?

68. What are the disadvantages of this?

69. How could we make this (project, paper, etc.) better?

70. What do you think the problem is….?

71. What do you think the best solution for this is? Why?

72. Could someone interpret this differently? How so?

73. How would you explain this to someone who doesn’t know anything about it?

74. What are a few alternative possibilities? Are any better than the others?

75. What are the short-term implications of this decision?

76. What are the long-term implications of this decision?

77. How would you achieve a big goal ?

78. (After they come up with a solution to something) Are there other possible ways to solve this problem?

79. How can you use the pros and cons to make a good decision?

80. Do you think when many people do something, it seems more “right,” even when it isn’t?

81. What are the potential risks to this decision?

82. What are the strengths of this argument?

83. What are the weaknesses of this argument?

84. Where is this lacking in evidence?

85. What can this story teach us about life?

86. Where would this solution work? Where would it not work?

87. Why do you think it is important to ask this question?

88. Why are new ideas important in our society?

89. What do you think that character’s motive is?

90. When should you reevaluate your initial thoughts/decision?

91. Do you think this is an important issue?

92. What do you think should have happened instead?

93. What is the counterargument?

94. Why is this relevant?

95. Do you think ________ will ever happen?

96. If it does, who would it affect most? Why?

97. What assumptions are being made in this situation?

98. Is it ever ok to lie?

99. Why do you think this feels like __________?

100. How is this related to your values and beliefs?

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Critical Thinking Questions For Adults

These are great for a conversation at home or at work interviews to see how well potential candidates think on their feet.

101. Where do you see strengths?

102. Where do you think there are areas for improvement?

103. Why did these things help you in the long run?

104. What information do you need to find out before making a good decision?

105. If you could sit down and have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be? Why?

106. What would you say to this person?

107. Should others care about this? Why?

108. When should you ask for help?

109. Who will benefit most from this decision?

110. Who will benefit least from this decision?

111. Have we considered all the options?

112. What questions do you have?

113. Are there any biases that you think are playing out here?

114. Are you making an assumption about __________?

115. When will you see your results?

116. Where do you often find this type of problem? Why?

117. In your opinion, what caused ____________ to happen?

118. Was it avoidable?

119. Does anything concern you about this?

120. When is this acceptable?

121. When is this not acceptable (or appropriate)?

122. What is one thing that would have changed everything?

123. When do you think this will benefit _________ (the company, society, etc.)?

124. When a disagreement happens at work, what do you do?

125. Is this goal achievable ?

126. How does your work experience help you fill this role?

127. Has this ever been done before? When?

128. What would need to happen for you to reconsider?

129. When will we need this?

130. What skills fit well with this position?

Related: Fun Rapid Fire Questions To Ask

Examples of Kids Critical Thinking Questions: By Word

Another way to split up your critical thinking questions is by word.

• Who is most directly affected by this decision?
• Who is the protagonist? Who is the antagonist?
• Who was the most important character?
• Who was a supporting character that was essential to the storyline?
• What is the problem you are trying to solve?
• What information is important to know about this before forming an opinion?
• What was the point of _________?
• When is it a good time to stop (or take a breather)?
• When should you know the answer?
• When will it be time for this? How do you know?
• When will this be critical?

• Where can you go to ask for help?
• Where can you find a good solution? Or information that helps you solve this problem?
• Where could this idea lead?
• Why has this issue come out into the spotlight?
• Why do you think ______ acts that way?
• Why is _______ happening, but ________ is not?
• How else could we have done that?
• How else could this be handled?
• How would you have responded in this situation?
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More Ways To Encourage Critical Thinking In Kids

Want to go beyond questions? No problem! Here are other practical ways to build this crucial skill:

Change your questions to them.

Turn your normal yes or no questions to more open ended questions.

Example: Instead of “How was your day?” go with “What was the most interesting part of your school day today?”

Refrain from stepping in.

These days parents feel like they should be fixing their kids’ problems constantly.

Instead, hold back and force your child to problem-solve on their own. Ask questions and guide them through the problem, but let them know that they are in charge of finding their own solutions.

Play Games And Do Activities That Promote Critical Thinking

Here are a few great ones!

Two Truths & A Lie Game – The players have to decide which statements are true and which one is not. This game is great for learning to read body language too!

Good Debate Topics For Kids – Nothing builds quick critical thinking like a lively debate.

Riddles: What Am I? – These word riddles help kids think through different possibilities.

Guess The Animal Riddles for Kids – More riddles all about animals to get kids thinking.

Encourage creativity.

Provide your child with opportunities to use their imagination.

Sometimes, all this takes is getting your child off screens and outside playing with sticks!

Encourage them to build something , make up a new game, and think outside the box whenever possible.

Let them fiddle with things.

My son has a very “why” brain and loves to mess with stuff. It used to embarrass me when we were around others.

But, one day, my husband and I realized that his “working things out” isn’t bad. We just needed to teach him in what context it is appropriate. Now he fiddles with everything, and it is amazing to watch his mind work.

Let them question.

The same goes for questions. They should be challenging assumptions and questioning the world around them. Too many people take for granted the things that they hear and read. Teach your child to be different.

Promote Active Listening.

Encourage your child to ask questions to clarify understanding and develop communication skills.

Examples: “What I hear is _________.” Or, “How do you know _________?”

Try New Things.

Travel. And regularly expose your kids to new ideas and experiences. This helps them see their regular world in a new light.

Think Critically Yourself.

Finally, your child will be much more likely to think critically if they see a parent who does it. So, apply all of these strategies to yourself as well.

To Consider With Critical Thinking Questions For Kids

Teaching children to form their own opinions is how we build a generation of people that will analyze, evaluate, and make decisions for the betterment of the world.

It’s not just important. It’s critical to our future as a society.

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Jennifer is the founder and chief editor of Healthy Happy Impactful®. She believes that living, loving, and connecting deeply are the foundation for a good life. She holds a degree in education and is a mom to 3 kids.

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100+ Critical Thinking Questions for Students To Ask About Anything

Critical thinkers question everything.

In an age of “fake news” claims and constant argument about pretty much any issue, critical thinking skills are key. Teach your students that it’s vital to ask questions about everything, but that it’s also important to ask the right sorts of questions. Students can use these critical thinking questions with fiction or nonfiction texts. They’re also useful when discussing important issues or trying to understand others’ motivations in general.

“Who” Critical Thinking Questions

Questions like these help students ponder who’s involved in a story and how the actions affect them. They’ll also consider who’s telling the tale and how reliable that narrator might be.

• Is the protagonist?
• Is the antagonist?
• Caused harm?
• Is harmed as a result?
• Was the most important character?

• Is responsible?
• Is most directly affected?
• Should have won?
• Will benefit?
• Would be affected by this?

• Makes the decisions?

“What” Critical Thinking Questions

Ask questions that explore issues more deeply, including those that might not be directly answered in the text.

• Background information do I know or need to know?
• Is the main message?
• Are the defining characteristics?

• Questions or concerns do I have?
• Don’t I understand?
• Evidence supports the author’s conclusion?
• Would it be like if … ?
• Could happen if … ?
• Other outcomes might have happened?
• Questions would you have asked?
• Would you ask the author about … ?
• Was the point of … ?
• Should have happened instead?
• Is that character’s motive?
• Else could have changed the whole story?

• Can you conclude?
• Would your position have been in that situation?
• Would happen if … ?
• Makes your position stronger?
• Was the turning point?
• Is the point of the question?
• Did it mean when … ?
• Is the other side of this argument?
• Was the purpose of … ?
• Does ______ mean?
• Is the problem you are trying to solve?
• Does the evidence say?
• Assumptions are you making?
• Is a better alternative?
• Are the strengths of the argument?

• Are the weaknesses of the argument?
• Is the difference between _______ and _______?

“Where” Critical Thinking Questions

Think about where the story is set and how it affects the actions. Plus, consider where and how you can learn more.

• Would this issue be a major problem?
• Are areas for improvement?
• Did the story change?
• Would you most often find this problem?

• Are there similar situations?
• Would you go to get answers to this problem?
• Can this be improved?
• Can you get more information?
• Will this idea take us?

“When” Critical Thinking Questions

Think about timing and the effect it has on the characters or people involved.

• Is this acceptable?
• Is this unacceptable?

• Does this become a problem?
• Is the best time to take action?
• Will we be able to tell if it worked?
• Is it time to reassess?
• Should we ask for help?
• Is the best time to start?
• Is it time to stop?
• Would this benefit society?

• Has this happened before?

“Why” Critical Thinking Questions

Asking “why” might be one of the most important parts of critical thinking. Exploring and understanding motivation helps develop empathy and make sense of difficult situations.

• Is _________ happening?
• Have we allowed this to happen?
• Should people care about this issue?

• Is this a problem?
• Did the character say … ?
• Did the character do … ?
• Is this relevant?
• Did the author write this?
• Did the author decide to … ?
• Is this important?

• Did that happen?
• Is it necessary?
• Do you think I (he, she, they) asked that question?
• Is that answer the best one?
• Do we need this today?

“How” Critical Thinking Questions

Use these questions to consider how things happen and whether change is possible.

• Do we know this is true?
• Does the language used affect the story?
• Would you solve … ?
• Is this different from other situations?

• Is this similar to … ?
• Would you use … ?
• Does the location affect the story?
• Could the story have ended differently?
• Does this work?
• Could this be harmful?
• Does this connect with what I already know?
• Else could this have been handled?
• Should they have responded?

• Would you feel about … ?
• Does this change the outcome?
• Did you make that decision?
• Does this benefit you/others?
• Does this hurt you/others?
• Could this problem be avoided?

More Critical Thinking Questions

Here are more questions to help probe further and deepen understanding.

• Can you give me an example?

• Do you agree with … ?
• Can you compare this with … ?
• Can you defend the actions of … ?
• Could this be interpreted differently?
• Is the narrator reliable?
• Does it seem too good to be true?

• Is ______ a fact or an opinion?

What are your favorite critical thinking questions? Come exchange ideas on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, check out 10 tips for teaching kids to be awesome critical thinkers ., you might also like.

5 Critical Thinking Skills Every Kid Needs To Learn (And How To Teach Them)

Teach them to thoughtfully question the world around them. Continue Reading

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Developing critical thinking skills in kids.

Developing Critical Thinking Skills

Learning to think critically may be one of the most important skills that today's children will need for the future. In today’s rapidly changing world, children need to be able to do much more than repeat a list of facts; they need to be critical thinkers who can make sense of information, analyze, compare, contrast, make inferences, and generate higher order thinking skills. 

Building Your Child's Critical Thinking Skills

Building critical thinking skills happens through day-to-day interactions as you talk with your child, ask open-ended questions, and allow your child to experiment and solve problems.  Here are some tips and ideas to help children build a foundation for critical thinking: 

• Provide opportunities for play .   Building with blocks, acting out roles with friends, or playing board games all build children’s critical thinking. 
• Pause and wait.  Offering your child ample time to think, attempt a task, or generate a response is critical. This gives your child a chance to reflect on her response and perhaps refine, rather than responding with their very first gut reaction.
• Don't intervene immediately.   Kids need challenges to grow. Wait and watch before you jump in to solve a problem.
• Ask open-ended questions.  Rather than automatically giving answers to the questions your child raises, help them think critically by asking questions in return: "What ideas do you have? What do you think is happening here?" Respect their responses whether you view them as correct or not. You could say, "That is interesting. Tell me why you think that."
• Help children develop hypotheses.  Taking a moment to form hypotheses during play  is a critical thinking exercise that helps develop skills. Try asking your child, "If we do this, what do you think will happen?" or "Let's predict what we think will happen next."
• Encourage thinking in new and different ways.  By allowing children to think differently, you're helping them hone their creative  problem solving skills. Ask questions like, "What other ideas could we try?" or encourage your child to generate options by saying, "Let’s think of all the possible solutions."

Of course, there are situations where you as a parent need to step in. At these times, it is helpful to model your own critical thinking. As you work through a decision making process, verbalize what is happening inside your mind. Children learn from observing how you think. Taking time to allow your child to navigate problems is integral to developing your child's critical thinking skills in the long run. 

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22 Questions to Ask Your Child to Sharpen Critical Thinking Skills

Asking the right questions to children sparks their imagination, conjures their emotions, and creates more questions. The questions help build a robust thinking architecture that enhances  critical thinking for kids . Why are critical thinking skills important? Critical thinking gives your child the confidence to power through academic and general life challenges smoothly.

Below is a list of challenging questions that parents can ask their children to encourage them to think for themselves, evaluate evidence, and decide whether to agree or disagree. The good part is that these questions are open-ended, perfect for understanding and innovation, and can be applied to any learning environment. We’ve categorized these questions based on the strategies required for critical thinking: reflection & collaboration, self-reflection; reasoning; analysis, and connections.

So, let’s get to the list right away.

Reflection & Collaboration

1. What are your views about it? 

2. Do you agree or disagree with this?

3. Do you want to add something to the solution?

4. What’s another way to look at this issue?

5. Do you have similar solutions using alternative routes?

6. How can you convince someone your route is the best solution to the problem?

Self-Reflection

7. How did you figure out that this is true?

8. Have you considered a different way to approach the problem?

9. Why does the answer makes sense to you?

10. What if that’s not true?

11. Why do you think this will work?

12. How will you prove your conclusion is correct?

13. What are the assumptions you’re making?

14. Why is this a problem?

15. How will you explain the similarities and differences?

16. What might lead you to an alternative solution?

17. How many possibilities can you think of and why?

18. How many results can you predict?

Connections

19. What can this situation teach us about our own lives?

20. How does this relate to daily occurrences or current events?

21. Which ideas are most sensible and why?

22. Can you give me an example of another similar situation?

With time your child’s intellectual curiosity will become more advanced. When this happens, you have to find ways to enhance your child’s critical thinking ability by asking the right questions to get meaningful answers.

The process of enhancing your child’s critical thinking skills works best when we throw a ball of questions at them. Rather than telling them what to think, you can engage them with questions that encourage them to independently arrive at their own conclusions. To sharpen your child’s critical thinking skills, ask these 22 questions – tweak, revise, or refine these questions to challenge your child and get thoughtful well-considered answers.

Samidha Raj works as part of the content marketing team at Planet Spark, a platform that provides online classes to K8 learners on “New Age Skills” like, English Communication, Public Speaking, Grammar, Creative Writing, Debating, etc. She is passionate about empowering the youth by educating parents about the importance of 21st-century skills. In her free time, you can find her watching documentaries or animated movies and organizing game nights (board games are her thing)!

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101 Questions for Kids to Get Them Thinking and Talking [all open-ended]

How can you have more meaningful conversations with your kids? How can you use these conversations to also build up their skills to prepare them for their future? What questions are quick and fun to ask but also get them thinking critically, logically and laterally?

We have done the hard work so you don't have to! Here are 101 questions for kids that will get them "thinking and talking" - helping you get to know your child with more meaningful conversations, and at the same time building the skills they need to thrive in tomorrow's world (e.g. critical thinking, communication, creativity etc).

It's perfect for 6-12 year olds and can be done whenever you have a few minutes. Parents we work with tend to have these chats in the car, or after school or at the dinner table.

‍ See the KidCoachApp that thousands of other parents have been using to have all this and more in the palm of your hand, but in the meantime enjoy the list below.

Critical thinking questions

1.  How many iPads do you think there are in the world?

2.  How many grains of sand do you think there are on a typical beach?

3.  What would you do with a million dollars?

4.  If you could go back and time and change one thing, what would it be and why?

5.  If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

6.  Is there life on other planets?

7.  What would you name a new colour?

8.  What are 10 different things you can do a cup?

9.  How would you improve a sofa to make it better?

10.  When Baby Shark grows up, will he still be called Baby Shark?

11.  What would happen if it never rained?

12.  How can you make £100 or $100 by next week if you wanted to?

If you are particularly interested in critical thinking then this ultimate guide to developing critical thinking skills in your kids is a must-read.

Debating questions for kids

13.  Should children set their own bedtimes?

14.  Do you need teachers at school or can you just learn from computers?

15.  Is it right to eat animals?

16.  Should everyone donate money to charity?

17.  Should children have to wear school uniforms?

18.  Should children choose what to learn at school themselves?

19.  Does Santa Claus only bring presents for good children?

20.  Should zoos be banned since they are unfair to animals?

21.  Should children be paid if they get good grades?

22.   Is social media a good or a bad thing?

23.  Should every child have their own mobile phone?

Fun communication challenges

24.  How would you describe a car to an alien?

25.  How would you describe a tree without saying green, plant or leaves?

26.  What is a rectangle?

27.  How would you describe an elephant without saying animal, trunk or grey?

28.  What is a circle?

29.  Can you name 10 different emotions?

30.  What is the number five?

31.  Can you say the alphabet backwards?

32.  Can you talk for one minute about anything without saying “umm” or “err”?

33.  Can you say “Hello” in three different accents?

For more fun talking game ideas, check out this list of 22 car games to keep kids entertained using only your voices!

Alternatives to “How was your day?”

34.   What was the best thing that happened to you today?

35.   What will you do tomorrow that you did not do today?

36.   Tell me about something new that you learned today?

37.   What made you laugh today?

38.   Who did you play with today?

39.   What did you eat for lunch?

40.   What kind of a person were you today?

41.   What made your teacher smile today?

42.   What made you really proud today?

43.  What questions did you ask the teacher today?

44.  What do you think your teacher will be doing tonight?

Would you rather questions?

45.  Would you rather find true love or win one million dollars?

46.  Would you rather end poverty or end racism?

47.  Would you rather be gossiped about or ignored?

48.  Would you rather be an ant or a fly?

49.  Would you rather be able to fly or have super strength?

50.  Would you rather be 1 foot taller or 1 foot shorter?

51.  Would you rather be more like Mum or more like Dad?

52.  Would you rather be the sand castle or the wave?

53.  Would you rather live to 100 years old sad or live to 50 years old but happy?

54.  Would you rather live without TV or live without internet?

We have lots more of these by the way in this 101 list of the BEST "would you rather...?" questions for kids.

Try these with Harry Potter fans!

55.  Which Hogwarts house would you be sorted into and why? (critical thinking)

56.  If you owned the Philosopher's stone and could live forever, what would you do? (creativity)

57.  What make Harry Potter a good leader? (leadership)

58.  Is Professor Snape on the good side or the bad side? (critical thinking)

59.  Why do wizards hide themselves away from muggles? (philosophy)

60.  How would you explain the game of quidditch to a muggle? (communication)

61.  Why are most wizards scared to say "Lord Voldemort" out aloud? (empathy)

62.  How do dementors make you feel? (mindfulness)

63.  If you were an animagus and could turn into any animal, which would you choose and why? (creativity)

64.  Which magical object would you choose to have and why - marauders map, time turner or invisibility cloak? (critical thinking)

65 .  What makes Dumbledore such a good headmaster? (leadership)

Get to know you interview questions

66.  What are your three greatest strengths?

67.  What is your favourite subject?

68.  What makes you different?

69.  What are your three greatest weaknesses?

70.  Who do you want to be like when you grow up?

71.  What is happening in the book you are reading right now?

72.  What will be different about the world when you are an adult?

73.  What is going on in the news at the moment?

74.  Who are your best friends and why do you like each other?

75.  What is the funniest thing you have ever done?

76.  What motivates you?

‍ To build resilience

77.  What is a growth mindset?

78.  What do you feel grateful for today?

79.  What is something you can do today that you couldn’t last year?

80.  What does a confident person look and sound like?

81.  What do you worry about the most?

82.  What are you better at than most other people?

83.  What do you love to learn?

84.  What make you happy?

85.  How important is winning?

86.  What is your best quality?

87.  What do you find really easy to do?

88.  What can you teach others?

Perfect for family dinners

89.  What is your favourite dessert?

90.  If you could just eat one food forever what would it be?

91.  Where shall we go on holiday next?

92.  What is one thing you admire about the person on your left?

93.  What animal are you most like and why?

94.  If you could swap places with anybody else in the family for one day, who would you pick and why?

95.  Tell us something about yourself that we probably don’t know?

96.  If you could have one wish what would it be?

97.  What is the hardest thing about being a child?

98.  What three words best describe you?

99.  What three things do we want to do as a family next month?

100.  If you could choose a new name, what would it be?

101.  What will we all be doing in 20 years time?

A final suggestion

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Kavin Wadhar

Kavin Wadhar is a parent of 2 kids and founder of www.KidCoach.app: guided conversations for parents to get their kids talking, thinking and feeling. Kavin left his corporate role in education publishing to pursue his passion to help parents develop in their kids the skills they need to thrive in tomorrow’s world. Working with a team of parents and education experts, Kavin has built an App for parents with hundreds of questions like those in this article, and with additional guidance / prompts to take conversations deeper. Check it out!

Want more like this?

Most popular articles:, connect through conversation, download the kidcoachapp free for hundreds of quick, fun and thought-provoking questions your kids will love.

Critical Thinking Questions for Kids

March 24, 2023

Kids learn a range of facts and information in school, but they also hone enduring skills that will allow them to succeed in and beyond the classroom. One of these skills is critical thinking. The ability to find information and then use that information to make sense of something is a tool children will draw on throughout their lives.

What Is Critical Thinking?

Back to School  by  Natasha Hall  is licensed with Unsplash License

When thinking critically, kids analyze data, compare and contrast, or make decisions based on information (they may often do all of the above). Critical thinking is about more than solving problems or learning facts. Instead, it’s about understanding different ways you can solve problems. It involves applying logic and reason when assessing arguments and coming to your own decisions and conclusions. Children who develop critical thinking skills can go beyond simply knowing textbook answers to a deeper understanding of what they truly believe and think.

Why Is It Important To Practice Critical Thinking With Your Kids?

When kids know how to think critically, they can assess information, critique that information, and create on their own. They’ll have the toolkit to engage in conversations while offering constructive solutions to issues that arise in the real world.

Teachers and parents can develop critical thinking skills in kids in and out of the classroom, encouraging children to think deeply about the world around them by asking good questions. The questions you ask your kids matter, and you can ask them about topics that build the critical thinking competency that sets them up for success now and in the future.

What Are Some Questions That Help Kids Flex Their Critical Thinking Skills?

Questions that help kids build their critical thinking skills work by engaging children’s analysis skills and imagination. Critical thinking skills develop over time, so consider your child’s developmental age when selecting questions. No matter how old your child is, the questions you ask should challenge reasoning and logic. You can do this by asking a range of both serious and fun questions.

The key is giving your child enough time to respond when asking critical thinking questions. This skill isn’t about speed — it’s about taking the time to be thorough. Some ways to incorporate asking critical thinking questions while interacting with your kids include:

• Playing brain games together to build reasoning and logic.
• Stopping to ask questions that require deeper thinking while watching a movie or TV show or reading a story together.
• Talking about kid-friendly current events and having a debate to cover both sides of a timely issue.
• Writing down a question of the day on a board or piece of paper and asking your children to write down or say their answer during the day.

Critical Thinking Questions for Kids Ages 2 to 7

Children between the ages of 2 and 7 learn through language and imaginative play. While they are not typically ready for complete critical thinking as they are still working on perspective-taking to fully understand other people’s motivations, kids in preschool and kindergarten can practice critical thinking through questions that focus on reasoning or comparing objects or situations.

Mixing fun and serious ideas, some critical thinking questions appropriate for kids ages 2 to 7 include:

• Could (insert name of family pet) join Paw Patrol?
• What do you think (insert name of favorite toy) does at night?
• What do you think would happen if you left your paints on the table all night?
• If you got to pick your name, what name would you choose and why?
• What are some things you can do to find out how to get to Sesame Street?

Critical Thinking Questions for Kids Ages 7 to 10

When children reach an older elementary school age, they truly begin developing critical thinking skills. Kids can see someone else’s viewpoint, separate fact and fiction, and make logical inferences at this age. You can start to ask more open-ended questions that relate to your child’s life.

Again, you can ask both serious questions and question that play with fun ideas with questions such as:

• If Barbie (or another favorite doll) was human, could she could do all the jobs she does?
• How can you get money to buy (insert the toy, game, or another item your child wants) if you’re too young to have a job?
• What do you think teachers do when they’re not in school?
• How do you think SpongeBob ended up living in a pineapple under the sea?
• What would happen if it were sunny every day?

Critical Thinking Questions for Tweens and Teens

Once kids get to middle and high school, they develop strong logic skills. They’re ready to advance to abstract reasoning, see information from various perspectives, and answer complex questions.

Questions appropriate for flexing critical thinking in older children include:

• What would happen if you suddenly woke up in (insert favorite book or TV show)?
• What are some ways you can learn another language without taking a class?
• Could you play your favorite sport using a ball or similar item from a different sport, for example, a hockey puck to play baseball?
• Is it better for kids to watch TV or play video games?
• Should kids in middle school still get recess?

General Critical Thinking Questions for Kids

The best critical thinking questions get kids to think outside the box. No matter how old your child is, asking great questions will encourage critical thinking. You can ask some general questions throughout the day, tailoring what you ask to the specific situation and your child’s age to continue to hone critical thinking skills naturally. Try asking questions like:

• How do you know (fact or piece of information your child is talking about)?
• How would you solve (insert problem or issue)?
• How could (event or situation) have ended differently?
• Can you give me an example?
• What’s another way we can look at (insert issue)?

Here at Crème de la Crème, we encourage children to explore the world around them and develop lifelong skills like critical thinking. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and curriculum and schedule a tour of your local Crème de la Crème location.

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85 Fun Critical Thinking Questions for Kids & Teens

Have you ever thought about using fun questions to practice critical thinking?

Students may need a little guidance to think their way through questions that lack straightforward answers.

But it is that process that is important!

How the Right Questions Encourage Critical Thinking

Every parent knows how natural it is for children to ask questions. 

It should be encouraged. After all, asking questions helps with critical thinking.

As they grow older, however, training them to answer questions can be equally beneficial.

Posing questions that encourage kids to analyze, compare, and evaluate information can help them develop their ability to think critically about tough topics in the future. 

Of course, critical thinking questions for kids need to be age-appropriate—even better if you can mix a little fun into it!

That’s what I hope to help you with today. I’ve organized the questions below into three different ages groups:

• Upper elementary
• Middle school
• High school 

Get a Question-Based Critical Thinking Exercise—Free!

Introduce critical thinking gently & easily with thought-provoking exercises.

Upper Elementary

Students in upper elementary grades can be reluctant to put themselves out there, especially with answers that seem weird. 

In some cases, such hesitancy is actually fear of differing from their peers (and a barrier to critical thinking ). 

But that’s exactly why it’s important to practice answering ambiguous questions. 

We want our children to stand firm for their beliefs—not cave to peer pressure. 

Additionally, students may feel uneasy about answering serious questions, uncertain of tackling “big” problems. 

However, with careful use of creative questions for kids, it’s possible to engage even the most reluctant children in this age group. 

The idea is to simply get them interested in the conversation and questions asked.

If you have an especially reserved student, try starting with the funny critical thinking questions. 

Humor is a natural icebreaker that can make critical thinking questions more lighthearted and enjoyable. 

Of course, most younger kids just like to be silly, so playing upon that can keep them active and engaged.

With that said, here are some great questions to get you started:

1. Someone gives you a penguin. You can’t sell it or give it away. What do you do with it?

2. What would it be like if people could fly?

3. If animals could talk, what question would you ask? 

4. If you were ice cream, what kind would you be and why?

5. Do you want to travel back in time? If yes, how far back would you go? If no, why not?

6. What could you invent that would help your family? 

7. If you could stay up all night, what would you do?

8. What does the man on the moon do during the day?

9. What makes something weird or normal? 

10. Can you describe the tastes “salty” and “sweet” without using those words?

11. What does it feel like to ride a rollercoaster?

12. What makes a joke funny?

13. What two items would you take if you knew you would be stranded on an island and why?

14. Do you have a favorite way of laughing?

15. What noise makes you cringe and cover your ears? Why?

16. If you could be the parent for the day, what would you do?

17. If you could jump into your favorite movie and change the outcome, which one would you pick and why?

18. If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?

19. What makes a day “perfect”?

20. If you owned a store, what kind of products would you sell?

21. If your parents were your age, would you be friends with them?

22. Would you still like your favorite food if it tasted the same as always, but now had an awful smell?

23. What would you do if you forgot to put your shoes on before leaving home?

24. Who would you be if you were a cartoon character?

25. How many hot dogs do you think you could eat in one sitting?

26. If you could breathe under water, what would you explore?

27. At what age do you think you stop being a kid?

28. If you had springs in your legs, what would you be able to do?

29. Can you describe the color blue to someone if they’re blind?

Middle School

At this point, students start to acquire more complex skills and are able to form their own conclusions based on the information they’re given. 

However, we can’t expect deep philosophical debates with 12 and 13 year olds. 

That said, as parent-teachers, we can certainly begin using more challenging questions to help them examine and rationalize their thought processes. 

Browse the fun critical thinking questions below for students in this age range. 

You might be surprised to see how receptive middle school kids can be to such thought-provoking (yet still fun) questions .

30. What would happen if it really did rain cats and dogs?

31. What does it mean to be lucky?

32. If you woke up in the middle of a dream, where would you be?

33. Is it ever okay to lie? Why or why not?

34. If you were solely responsible for creating laws, what one law would you make?

35. What makes a person a good friend?

36. What do you think is the most important skill you can take into adulthood?

37. If you had to give up lunch or dinner, which would you choose? Why?

38. How much money would you need to be considered rich?

39. If you knew you wouldn’t get caught, would you cheat on a test?

40. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be?

41. What is your greatest strength? How is that an asset?

42. If you had an opportunity to visit the International Space Station, would you do it?

43. Is it better to keep the peace or speak your mind?

44. Imagine yourself as your favorite animal. How would you spend your day?

45. Would you be friends with someone who didn’t have the same values as you?

46. How much screen time do you think is too much?

47. Can you describe your favorite color without naming it?

48. If you suddenly became blind, would you see things differently?

49. Would you ever go skydiving?

50. Describe the time you were the happiest in your life. Why did this make you happy?

51. If you had a million dollars, what would you do?

52. If you had to move to a new city, would you change how you present yourself to others?

53. What do you need to do in order to be famous?

54. If you could rewrite the ending of your favorite book or movie, what changes would you make?

55. How would you tackle a huge goal?

56. How would you sell ice to an eskimo in Alaska successfully?

57. What makes you unique?

High School

Critical thinking takes on an entirely different role once students reach high school. 

At this age, they have a greater sense of right and wrong (and what makes things so) as well as a better understanding of the world’s challenges.

Guiding teens to delve deeper and contemplate such things is an important part of developing their reasoning and critical thinking skills. 

Whether it’s fun questions about hypothetical superpowers or tough critical thinking questions about life, older teens typically have what it takes to think their way to a logical conclusion . 

Of course, use your discernment as you choose discussion topics, but here are some questions to help get you started:

58. How can you avoid [common problem] in the future?

59. Do you think it’s okay to take a life in order to save 5, 10, 20 or more people?

60. If you could go back and give your younger self advice, what would it be?

61. Is it better to give or receive a gift?

62. How important is it to be financially secure? Why?

63. If it was up to you, what one rule would you change in your family?

64. What would you do if a group of friends wanted to do something that you thought was a bad idea?

65. How do you know that something is a fact rather than an opinion?

66. What would it take to get you to change your mind?

67. What’s the most important thing in your life?

68. If money were of no concern, what job would you choose and why?

69. How do you know if you’re happy?

70. Do you think euthanasia is moral?

71. What is something you can do today that you weren’t able to do a year ago?

72. Is social media a good thing or not?

73. Is it right to keep animals in a zoo?

74. How does your attitude affect your abilities?

75. What would you do if you found out a friend was doing something dangerous?

76. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why?

77. What will life on Earth look like in 50 years?

78. Which is more important, ending world hunger or global warming?

79. Is it a good idea to lower the voting age to 16? Why or why not?

80. If the electrical power went out today, how would you cook if using wood wasn’t an option?

81. If you could magically transport yourself to any other place, where would that be and why?

82. When should teenagers be able to stay out all night?

83. Does the number zero actually exist?

84. What defines a generous person?

85. Does an influential person influence everyone?

Feel free to print out these fun critical thinking questions and incorporate them into your homeschool week!

will your children recognize truth?

About the author.

Jordan Mitchell

100+ Open-Ended Questions for Kids to Get Them Talking

Open-ended questions for kids are the perfect way to break the ice, start a conversation, and encourage critical thinking and communication skills.

At some point all parents reach a stage where it’s a struggle to get kids to talk.

We yearn to connect with our kids but instead our questions are typically met with one word answers.

It’s both sad and frustrating to try to begin a conservation with your child or teen only to be swiftly shut down.

“Did you have fun at Sarah’s house?”

“Yes.”

While there could be a number of reasons why your child is reticent to open up, making an effort to ask open-ended questions can help.

Not only do these questions encourage further dialogue, they also play a crucial role in nurturing a child’s critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills. And the more kids are encouraged to share their thoughts and opinions, the more practice they receive in effective communication.

Here, we’ll help you better understand what an open-ended question is and how best to identify if you’re asking one. We’ve also included over 100 suggested questions to get you strated.

What is an open-ended question for kids?

An open-ended question for kids encourages them to provide thoughtful, detailed, and creative responses rather than simple one-word answers. These questions require more than just a “yes” or “no” answer. They invite children to think and share their ideas, opinions, and feelings and foster critical thinking and communication skills.

Closed-ended questions, on the other hand, typically have one correct or predetermined answer. In other words, they’re fairly easy to answer without requiring much thought and can be typically be answered in one word or acknowledgment.

Why are open-ended questions beneficial for kids?

Open-ended questions are valuable for several reasons. They stimulate active engagement, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

They also promote language development, vocabulary expansion, and communication skills. Moreover, open-ended questions empower children to express themselves, build self-confidence, and feel heard and valued.

In educational settings, open-ended questions are commonly used by teachers to promote class discussions, facilitate learning, and assess students’ comprehension. They encourage students to think deeply about a topic and articulate their thoughts, which contributes to a more enriching and dynamic learning experience.

5 words that typically start an open ended question

One easy way to tell if the question you’re asking your child is open-ended is by the beginning word.

Open-ended questions often begin with words like “what,” “how,” “why,” “describe,” or “tell me about.” They prompt kids to reflect, elaborate, and explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

For example, instead of asking, “Did you have fun at the park today?” which can lead to a simple “yes” or “no” response, you could ask, “What was your favorite part of the park today, and why did you enjoy it?” This encourages the child to share specific details and explain their feelings.

When to ask kids open-ended questions

The best time to ask children open-ended questions is when you have their full attention – or at least most of their attention.

For example, a car ride can be the perfect time to initiate a discussion with your child. Unless their immersed in their phone, there’s little else for a child or teen to do than chat.

Dinner time can be another perfect occasion to ask open-ended questions. And if the whole family is eating together, one question can spark a great discussion.

Need a few prompts to get your family dinner conversation started? These 125+ Family Conversation Cards can help. Each one contains a lighthearted question any family member can answer. Kids will have fun learning more about you and you’re bound to discover something you didn’t know about your kids . Click here or the image below to learn more and get your own set.

100+ open ended questions for kids

To help you begin to think of open-ended questions you could ask your children, we’ve included a few suggestions below.

• What’s your favorite thing about today?
• If you could be any animal for a day, which one would you choose?
• What do you like to do when you have free time?
• What’s the best book you’ve ever read, and why?
• If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go?
• What makes you feel happy?
• What’s something you’re really good at?
• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
• What’s your favorite memory from a family trip or vacation?
• What do you think makes a person a good friend?
• What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently?
• If you could invent something, what would it be?
• What’s your favorite season, and what do you like about it?
• What does it mean to be kind?
• What’s something you’re curious about and want to learn more about?
• If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
• How do you show someone you care about them?
• What’s your favorite way to be creative?
• What’s the most delicious meal you’ve ever had?
• If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be and what would you ask them?
• What do you like to daydream about?
• How do you think the world will be different when you’re grown up?
• What’s something you wish you could change about the world?
• If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be?
• What’s your favorite song, and what do you like about it?
• What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you?
• What makes you feel proud of yourself?
• If you could design your own school, what would it be like?
• What’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?
• How would you describe your perfect day?
• What does it mean to be a good citizen?
• If you could time travel, where and when would you go?
• What’s your favorite way to help others?
• What’s the most important thing in the world to you?
• If you could have a magical adventure, what would it be like?
• How do you like to relax and unwind?
• What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
• If you could solve one big problem in the world, what would it be?
• What’s your favorite thing about your family?
• What do you think makes someone brave?
• What’s your favorite color, and why do you like it?
• If you could explore space, where would you go in the universe?
• What’s the most exciting thing you’ve ever done?
• What’s something you’d like to teach others?
• If you could be invisible for a day, how would you spend it?
• What’s the most interesting animal in the world, in your opinion?
• What’s your favorite form of art, and why?
• What’s something you’ve always wanted to ask your parents or caregivers?
• If you could make a new holiday, what would it be about?
• What do you think is the best way to solve conflicts between people?
• What’s your favorite type of weather, and why?
• If you could have any pet in the world, what would it be?
• What’s your favorite thing to do with your friends?
• What’s something you think is truly unique about you?
• If you could explore the depths of the ocean, what would you hope to find?
• What’s your favorite way to express yourself?
• If you could plant a garden, what kind of flowers or plants would you choose?
• What’s your favorite fairy tale, and why do you like it?
• What’s the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen in nature?
• If you could create a new flavor of ice cream, what would it be?
• What’s your favorite smell in the world, and what does it remind you of?
• What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your life so far?
• If you could go back in time and give advice to your younger self, what would it be?
• What’s the most valuable possession you have, and why is it important to you?
• If you could have a conversation with an alien from another planet, what would you ask them?
• What’s your favorite holiday, and how do you like to celebrate it?
• What’s the most fascinating thing about outer space to you?
• If you could have a magical day where anything is possible, what would you do?
• What do you think is the key to a happy life?
• What’s your favorite sport, and what do you enjoy about it?
• If you could visit any time in history, when and where would you go?
• What’s your favorite way to use your imagination?
• What’s the best way to make a new friend?
• If you could be a character in a story, who would you be, and what would you do?
• What’s your favorite type of music, and how does it make you feel?
• What’s the most important quality a person can have, in your opinion?
• If you could have a magical wardrobe, what would be inside it?
• What’s the most exciting thing you hope to do in the future?
• What’s your favorite thing about nature?
• If you could learn any new skill, what would it be?
• What’s your favorite constellation, and what does it look like to you?
• What’s something that always makes you smile?
• If you could be a character in a video game, which one would you choose?
• What’s your favorite way to learn something new?
• What’s the most interesting thing you know about a different culture?
• If you could travel through time to visit your ancestors, who would you want to meet?
• What’s the most amazing thing about the human body to you?
• What’s your favorite type of movie, and why do you like it?
• If you could have a conversation with an animal, what would you ask them?
• What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
• What’s your favorite way to show gratitude?
• If you could explore a hidden treasure, where would you look for it?
• What’s the most beautiful sound in the world to you?
• What’s your favorite board game, and what’s your strategy to win?
• If you could have a time capsule, what would you put in it to represent your life?
• What’s the most amazing thing you’ve learned about the natural world?
• What’s your favorite thing to do when it’s raining?
• What’s your favorite toy and why?
• If you could make a new law, what would it be about?
• What’s the most interesting place you’ve ever been to?
• What’s your favorite way to celebrate your birthday?
• If you could have a magical object that could grant one wish, what would you wish for?
• What’s your favorite subject in school?
• If you could be a superhero who would you be?
• What’s your favorite TV show and why?

See related:

125+ Fun Questions to Ask Kids to Get Them Talking

100 Thought-Provoking Questions to Ask Teenagers

What to do next…

1. subscribe to self-sufficient kids’ email list., 2. take one of my quizzes.

Find out if you’re raising a self-sufficient kid ( click here ) or if you’re doing too much for your kids ( click here ). At the end of each quiz, you’ll be asked to provide your email address to see the results.

3. Get your kids started on chores.

Learn how to get your child started on chores (& keep them motivated + avoid power struggles) by enrolling in my Get Your Kids Successfully Started on Chores course. Click here to learn more and sign up.

About Kerry Flatley

Hi! I’m Kerry, the mother of two girls and a certified parent educator. I believe it is possible for parents to have a supportive, loving, and warm relationship with their kids while raising them to be independent and ultimately self-sufficient. Over the years, I’ve read numerous books and articles that support this belief and I’ve put these ideas into practice with my own kids. Read more about me and Self-Sufficient Kids here.

Looking for strategies or have questions about how to support your child’s education? Ask our AI-powered assistant.

Parent Resources for Learning > Critical Thinking > 5 Fun Critical Thinking Games to Play with Your Child

5 Fun Critical Thinking Games to Play with Your Child

by Dr. Jody Sherman LeVos | Mar 27, 2024 | Critical Thinking

Playing games is a great way for your child to develop their critical thinking skills—and the metaphor of a game is a great way to think about these important life skills!

Every time your child works through a problem they need to solve, a sequence they need to memorize, or a decision they need to make, they’re making their way toward the goal of improving their critical thinking.

It’s like a game where the reward at the end is better decision-making, stronger reasoning skills, and academic and professional success!

Kids will keep playing this game over the course of their lives, connecting new ideas to old ones and discarding one opinion for another. Each time, they’ll get better.

Ready to start? We’ve got some fun and easy game ideas for you!

The Short Cut

• Critical thinking  is one of the 5 C’s  that help kids thrive in school and life (an essential part of the Begin Approach to learning)
• The ability to think critically—as opposed to being intelligent—has been linked to wellness and fewer “negative life events”
• Good critical thinking activities  often involve following rules, breaking tasks into sequences, asking questions, and understanding multiple perspectives
• Games (like this memory game ) are a fantastic way to develop critical thinking with kids because you can slip in challenges with the fun!

Why Is Critical Thinking Important?

Critical thinking is a necessary skill for understanding the world.

Through weighing options, studying different perspectives, and making good choices, our children can lead their lives in a positive and healthy way.

Critical thinking allows our kids to:

• Analyze information and make decisions
• Recall short sequences of information and simple instructions
• Ignore distractions to focus on a task
• Grasp the differences between sources of information
• Reason using logic
• Make connections between things

It’s one of the most important contributors to their overall well-being!

6 Critical Thinking Exercises for Everyday Life

Games aren’t the only critical thinking exercises that work well for kids. They also encounter many opportunities to build their skills on any given day.

How can you tap into those chances? Try these techniques.

1. Explain Things

No doubt you often find yourself on the receiving end of your child’s questions. Try to answer all of them. Daunting as that might sound (we know!), this helps your child learn how to formulate the questions they need to ask to make good judgments.

2. Back Up Rules with Good Reasons

Help your child understand the reasons behind rules. (A typical Q&A volley:  “Please find a quiet activity to do after dinner.” “Why?” “Because your brother is asleep and we don’t want to wake him up.”)

This kind of exchange allows your child to understand why you’re asking them to do something, which fosters critical thinking.

3. Play Real-Life Problem-Solving Games

Playing strategy games—even simple ones designed for kids—develops analytical skills. You can also have fun turning household tasks into problem-solving games, like figuring out which socks go to which person when you’re folding laundry.

4. Cultivate Curiosity

Encourage your child to ask questions and dig deep to find answers. Curiosity leads to challenging assumptions and gaining new information. Ultimately it helps your child develop complex thinking skills.

5. Encourage Open-Mindedness

Help your child learn to be flexible in their thinking by giving them time to gather information before they make decisions. Considering various solutions helps kids learn that more than one way to do things can be correct.

6. Model Analytical Thinking

Our kids are always watching us. One of the best ways to influence your child’s critical thinking skills is by talking through decisions as you make them. (“I want to walk to the store. I can take a shortcut, but it’s on that dirt path and I’m wearing new sneakers. I want to keep them clean, so I’ll walk on the sidewalk instead.”)

5 Games to Guide Your Child’s Critical Thinking

There are many educational critical thinking games  you can play at home that help kids improve their skills! We’ve gathered a few we love:

This classic guessing game encourages analytical thinking and problem-solving skills (like deduction) as your child searches for specific objects based on clues.

Plus, it‘s highly portable! Play it in the car, on a walk, or even at the grocery store!

What You Need

• Nothing except space!
• Explain you’ll take turns identifying an object in your space.
• Model the game by going first. Choose an object that both of you can see.
• Share one detail about it. (“I spy something purple.”)
• Ask your child to guess what you’ve chosen.
• If your child is stumped or getting frustrated, add more clues (“The purple thing is a food, and it’s over by the apples.”)
• Trade roles so that your child chooses something for you to guess.

More Ways to Play

• Choose different rules, such as “the object has to start with A,” or “share three adjectives that describe the object,” or “make up one phrase this object might say”

2. Once Upon a Time

Storytelling is a great way to work on critical thinking skills like understanding cause and effect, choice-making, and sequencing. This game also taps into kids’ creativity  (another one of the 5 C’s) through making up stories.

• Nothing but your imagination!
• Explain you’re going to build a story together by taking turns, one sentence at a time. You can give an example by reciting a story that your child already knows.
• Give an exciting first sentence that jumps into action, such as, “Once upon a time, a kid was on a rocket ship headed to Mars, when a meteor hit and fuel began to leak.”
• Ask your child to continue the story. If they get stuck, try asking them questions like “What did the rocket ship do next?” or “What did the kid do first to fix the problem?” or “How did the kid feel?”
• Continue taking turns until you come to a natural ending.
• Write down the story as you tell it, then read it out loud
• Create a book out of the story, using paper, markers, and a stapler or tape (art projects use many critical thinking skills)
• Use a prop to center the story on, like a toy or a stuffed animal
• Go outside and tell a story based on what you imagine you see in the clouds

3. Bet You Can Build It!

Designing a structure takes curiosity, planning, trial and error, and problem-solving. You can turn this activity into a game by laying out rules to follow.

• Marshmallows
• Craft sticks
• Cardboard tubes
• Anything else you’ve got at home!
• Gather your materials.
• Give your child the rules for the building challenge. (“Create the tallest building you can without it tipping over” or “Use all the marshmallows and toothpicks.”)
• Work on the structure together or each do your own.
• Celebrate when you’ve finished!
• Use a timer to add urgency to the game
• Bring the game to the floor and use bigger building materials, like blocks or plastic bricks
• Bring it outside and use objects found in nature

Get your child moving their whole body as they use planning, organization, and problem-solving skills to find their way through a maze.

• A surface to draw on, like a sidewalk, driveway, or playground blacktop
• Objects to use as obstacles
• A finish-line treasure (a favorite toy, a treat, etc.)
• Draw a maze with chalk. Try making a path by drawing borders on each side or a “tightrope” by only drawing one line your child will need to balance on as they walk.
• Add dead ends to make the maze more challenging.
• Use objects to create obstacles for your child to problem-solve a way past.
• Add a treasure at the finish to engage their imagination.
• Have your child start at one end and try to find their way through!
• Hone in on the treasure component of the maze by creating a scavenger hunt .
• Ask your child to draw a map of the maze when they’ve finished.

5. Obstacle Course

An obstacle course builds real-life skills. To get through their days, kids need to be able to remember lots of information (just think about all the rules at school!).

They also encounter problem-solving based on sequencing and memorizing shortcuts, directions, and solutions. (Think about learning how to write. Letters have to be in a specific order to make a word. That’s sequencing.)

Or you may allow your child to walk to school or the bus stop on their own. That’s all about memorizing directions.

Obstacle courses can help them practice these skills!

• Masking tape or chalk
• Jump rope or broom
• Big bouncy ball
• Play tunnel, table, or chair
• Board or pool noodle
• Log and plank
• Pillows, bean bag chairs, or large stuffed animal
• Any other objects you want!
• Gather your objects—you can play this game inside or outside.
• Design a path for your child by placing interactive objects along it. For instance, they can jump over the broom, crawl under the table, and balance on the log and plank.
• Show your child the sequence. You can demonstrate it or have them do a trial run.
• Let them start!
• Try asking your child to do the course backwards or blindfolded—with a partner!
• On a hot day (and outdoors!), add water components like carrying a bucket of water or running through a sprinkler
• Draw a map and instead of telling your child how to move through the course, give them the map to follow
• Add a fun time component and challenge your child to finish the course faster each time they do it

Cultivating Critical Thinking Skills with Begin

Because critical thinking is such an essential skill set, at Begin we build it into our age- and stage-matched learning membership . Through playing with Little Passports activity kits, the codeSpark coding app , and other award-winning learning products from Begin, kids can learn sequencing, make their own games, do science experiments, and more !

Take our online quiz  today to discover which stage of the Begin membership is best for your family!

Jody has a Ph.D. in Developmental Science and more than a decade of experience in the children’s media and early learning space.

View all posts

Dr. Jody Sherman LeVos

Chief Learning Officer at Begin

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10 Questions to Nurture a Child’s Critical Thinking

Kids need critical thinking skills. Teachers and parents can help. Kids won’t develop this overnight, and a critical thinking lightbulb won’t flick on at a specific age. Instead, it is planted, watered, and nurtured through seeds of conversation from the time children begin processing spoken language.

At The Academy of Scholars Christian private school here in Atlanta, we firmly believe that it is never too early (or too late) to start growing those critical thinking skills. By working the following questions into your everyday conversations, parents and teachers can be more intentional about sharpening this crucial skill.

Table of Contents

1. “What is the purpose of this?”

Asking this question to a child can help them evaluate the objective behind their actions and understand the value of purpose. Rather than learning to merely do as is expected of them, you can help children by explaining the reasoning behind what is expected or asked of them. Try asking this question in various ways, including, “Why do you want to do this?” or “What makes this important?”

Additionally, this train of thought can be a great way to help a child better understand and communicate their feelings by answering the question, “Why do you think you’re feeling this way?”

2. “What questions does this raise?”

Children must learn to ask questions when presented with new information or opinions rather than taking things at face value. This helps the child uncover gaps in their knowledge about the subject and consider what information is needed for a better understanding.

3. “Is there an alternative?”

When asked in the context of a situation where a problem must be solved, this question encourages children to think out-of-the-box rather than merely choosing what might be a quick and easy fix. Searching for alternatives builds resourcefulness and reminds children that a problem will often have more than one solution.

4. “What are the pros and cons of this option?”

Exploring this train of thought encourages children to weigh the benefits and disadvantages of different options to make a well-informed decision. Take it a step further by helping your child write down the pros and cons in list format. This will allow them to visually weigh each option and determine the best course of action.

5. “What do you think will happen if…”

This question helps a child observe, experiment, and create hypotheses. Use various forms of this question, such as, “What do you think will happen next?” when watching a movie or telling a story. This will help grow a child’s foresight and help them consider the potential outcomes of their choices.

6. “Why do you think that happened?”

A key element of critical thinking is the ability to consider cause and effect through observation. It helps children discover how and why a problem occurred and reach logical, fact-based conclusions. Helping a child determine why a problem occurred is the first step to deciding how the problem might be solved.

7. “Can you give me an example?”

Pointing out similarities in various situations helps a child notice patterns and connections. This helps them apply the lessons they’ve learned from one situation to another. It also helps them clarify and elaborate on what they are trying to communicate.

8. “How might someone disagree with your point of view, and why?”

Considering things from another person’s point of view is essential to cultivating empathy and awareness. Kids need to learn early on to accept that not everyone will share their opinions. This will help them build and maintain healthy relationships.

Teaching a child how to examine arguments for and against their opinion ensures that their conclusion will be well-informed and based on sound reasoning. In addition, you should teach children the art of civil discourse and disagreement.

Bonus question: “How could you respectfully share why you disagree?”

9. “What evidence brought you to this conclusion?”

With this question, you can encourage them to draw conclusions that can be backed up with sound, supportive evidence. This will build the confidence they need to articulate their points of view successfully.

10. “How could you research this more?”

Children should understand that there is no cap on knowledge. There will always be ways to add to and strengthen their understanding of a particular subject. To strengthen their critical thinking, they can dig deeper into reputable sources, compare and contrast timely and accurate data, and avoid making hasty assumptions.

When in doubt, begin by using the reporter’s tried and true method of uncovering information. Ask who, what, when, where, why, and how questions, rather than those that only allow for a yes or no answer. Take every opportunity to help a child to arrive at a conclusion on their own, rather than providing them with the answers or offering your own opinion. In doing this, parents and teachers can help grow the next generation of independent, critical thinkers.

Looking for an Atlanta elementary school that cultivates critical thinking from the youngest ages? Contact us today.

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Critical thinking is crucial for children. It helps them understand their actions, ask questions, think creatively, make logical conclusions, and express opinions. Parents and teachers foster critical thinking by incorporating questions into their conversations, creating a curious environment. This skill enables children to explore reliable sources, analyze data, and make informed decisions, equipping them for life’s challenges.

Private Christian School > 10 Questions to Nurture a Child’s Critical Thinking

85 Critical Thinking Questions to Carefully Examine Any Information

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The ability to think critically will often determine your success in life.

Let’s face it. Every day, we are bombarded by news, social media updates, and an avalanche of information. If you take all of this at face value, it’s easy to be deceived, misled or ripped off.

That’s why it’s important to  develop a mindset that focuses on critical thinking . This is a skill that needs to be developed in the classroom. But it’s also a valuable life skill.

With that in mind, the following post will share 85 critical thinking questions you can use to increase your awareness about different problems by carefully examining available information. 

Let’s get started…

Table of Contents

What Are Critical Thinking Questions?

Critical thinking questions are inquiries that help you think rationally and clearly by understanding the link between different facts or ideas. These questions create a seemingly endless learning process that lets you critique, evaluate, and develop a depth of knowledge about a given subject. Moreover, you get to reinforce your viewpoints or see things in a new way.

We make decisions every day, whether at work or home. Adopting logical, rational, and practical approaches in addressing various issues requiring critical thinking is essential in decision-making. Therefore, before arriving at a decision, always ask yourself relevant questions and carefully analyze the matter’s pros and cons.

Critical Thinking Questions When in an Argument

When you make an argument using a critical thinking approach, you focus on justified claims that are valid and based on evidence. It helps one establish a strong argument.

• Do I disagree with the other person? Might the person I'm arguing with be misinformed on what they are saying?
• Would I be comfortable saying what I am telling him/her if I was in front of a group of people? 
• What would happen if I lose this argument? Is engaging in this argument worth my time and energy? How will I feel if I lose?
• Is there room for ambiguity or misinterpretation? Are we arguing because I didn't make my point explicit? Should I take my time to understand his school of thought?
• Do I need some rest before saying something? Am I arguing because of other reasons other than the issues at hand? Do I need to take some time and cool down?

• Is it more important that I’m right? Am I trying to ask to prove an unnecessary point?
• Is this argument inductive, deductive, or abductive? Is it a weak or strong argument that I need to engage in? Is it compelling or sound? 
• Is my opponent sincere? Given that they are wrong, are they willing to admit that they are wrong? Can they depend on available evidence, wherever it leads?
• Are my opponents only trying to shift their burden to me? What is the best way to prove them wrong without making them feel bad?
• Are the people I'm arguing with only interested in winning, or are they trying to pass some information across and help me discover the truth?

Critical Thinking Questions When Reading a Book 

When you read a book, you probably ask yourself many “why” questions. Why is this a problem? Why did the character say that? Why is this important? The most challenging part of reading a book is assessing the information you are reading. These questions can help.

• If I learn only two things from this book, what will they be? How will they help me? How will I apply them in my daily life?
• What message are the authors trying to pass across? Are they making suggestions or providing evidence for their arguments?
• Given that almost every book is about solving problems, what is the most prevalent issue that the author is trying to solve?
• What is the author’s writing style? What strategy or master plan does the author employ to convey his/her main ideas throughout the book?
• Do I have background information about the book’s topic? If so, how is what the author is saying different from what I already know?
• What didn’t I understand from the book? Should I re-read the book to understand everything the writer is trying to convey?
• Which sections of the book do I love the most, and why? Generally, do I like this book? Should I look for more books that are written by the same author?
• If I had a chance to meet this book’s author, what questions would I ask him/her? What would I tell the writer about the book? Is it a great book worth recommending to your friends and family members?
• Who are the main characters of the book? If there is only one main character, what overarching goal does the character accomplish?
• In what ways did the protagonist change from the start of the book to the end? What caused the changes? Was the protagonist reckless in some ways? Which ways?

Critical Thinking Questions to Spot a Scam

Asking questions when you feel that a fraud or a scam is being presented to you is a good way to stretch your critical thinking muscles. Are you being emailed or messaged by a stranger? Or maybe there are other red flags you are unsure about. If so, ask these questions.

• Does it seem to be too good to be true? Is this stranger pushy or trying to lure me into making a poor decision?
• When trying out online dating: Is my new “friend” professing strong feelings towards me although we’ve only interacted for a few hours?
• Why is a stranger calling me to ask about my Social Security Number (SSN), personal contact information, or bank details while claiming they are from the bank or a phone company? 
• When buying products online, why does the seller ask me to pay for goods using an insecure payment option like Bitcoin or money order?
• Does the email I have received have any spelling or grammatical errors? Is the language used overly formal or informal?
• If I do a quick search about the exact words of the email I received, does Google indicate it's a fraud or scam?
• Why should a stranger manipulate me using obvious questions like “Would you want to be rich or poor?” While they already know the answer?
• Is the email asking me to download an attachment? Or click a link to some insecure website? 
• Is the person trying to make me feel selfish or guilty for not sending them money, whether for a donation or buying a product? 
• Is the stranger portraying a sense of urgency and using pressure tactics? Are they telling me that their family member needs urgent medical attention?

Critical Thinking Questions About Your Life

It can also help to ask yourself a few critical thinking questions about your life. This way, you can gather basic information and uncover solutions to problems you might not have otherwise thought of.

• Where do I wish to be in a few years, probably two, three, or five years? What short-term and long-term goals should I set?
• What have I achieved so far from the time I set my previous goals? What should I be grateful for?
• Do I have any values that guide me in life? If so, what are these values? Am I always true to these values?
• Am I always worried about what people around me think? Can I act independently without the need to meet social expectations?
• What should people say about me at my funeral? Would they talk about how good I made them feel or how rich and flashy I was?
• If I wasn't afraid of anyone or anything, what would I have done? What if I didn't have any fear in me?
• If today was my last day, what extraordinary thing would I do? Can I do it right now?
• What should I do with the things that matter the most to me? 
• What things will make the greatest difference in my future life if I take action now?
• How should I react when I feel unwanted by the people I love the most? Should I tell them?

Critical Thinking Questions for a Debate or Discussion

When you are in the middle of a debate or discussion, you need to know that what you are saying is fact, have evidence to support your claim, and position yourself as an expert in what you are saying. Here are some critical thinking questions to ask when you are in a debate or discussion.

• Is there fairness in this discussion? Is the moderator supporting one side? Do they want to make one side look stupid or wrong? 
• What is the aim of this discussion? Is there a major problem that needs to be solved? If so, how can I help solve it?
• Who are the people affected by this discussion? If they were here, what would they say?
• Do my views on this discussion matter? If I raise my point, will I be redundant?
• What am I supposed to learn from this debate, and how can I use what I have learned in my daily life?
• Does the audience seem to be biased towards one side? Are they booing one side? What can I do even if it's our opponents being booed?
• Who are the discussion panel members? What views have they held about this kind of discussion or any other related discussions in the past?
• How can I make my point without being ambiguous? Before I speak, should I take down some notes to avoid any confusion during my speech?
• Am I ready to apologize if I make a mistake during the discussion? If so, what are the limits?
• What information does my team, or I need before this discussion? 

Critical Thinking Questions About Lying

Admitting when you are wrong, choosing not to cheat, and sharing constructive feedback are all ways to show your honesty. Here are some critical thinking skills to ask regarding lying.

• Will the lie hurt those I am telling, or will it help them? What if being honest might cause my friend unnecessary pain?
• Should I be the one telling this person a lie, or I let someone else do it? 
• Will I be the one hurt if I tell this lie? Will my friend feel I am a betrayer? Will it affect our friendship?
• Do they answer my questions in detail, or are they always trying to ignore and dodge the main problem?
• What if I ask these people the same question using different terms and wording? Will they give me the same response?
• Did the tone of my friend suddenly change after I asked him/her this question? Do they sound louder, faster, or slower compared to how they usually speak?
• Does this person have something to gain by lying to me? What is their motive?
• Does this person take a sudden pause or hesitate more than usual when responding to my question?
• When I look at these people's faces, do their facial expressions match what they say?
• Should I believe this person or not? What are my intuitions? Does it look like they are telling the truth?
• Do they blink like other days when I ask them questions? Are they always trying to avoid direct eye contact?
• Why do they seem uncomfortable when it’s just a normal conversation?  

Critical Thinking Questions When Presented With a Claim

Critical thinking is much more than just evaluating whether a claim is true or not. It also means a critical thinker reflects on what follows from true claims.

• What does this claim mean, and what are its implications? What if it's a false claim?
• Which of my morals, values, or beliefs do I have to give up to accept this claim?
• Do professionals in this field agree or disagree with the claim that has been made?
• Do they have evidence to back their claim? Which is the most robust evidence to support the claim?
• What argument can I come up with to refute this claim? Or what is the best view that can support this claim?
• Who is the primary source of the claim being made? Is the basis of the claim reliable?
• Is it a claim, or it's just an opinion?
• Is the claim likely to be 100% false, true, or partially true?
• Am I allowed to refute the claim and table my evidence, or is it one-sided?

Critical Thinking Interview Questions

Critical thinking skills are valuable in any industry or field and for almost all roles. During a job interview, you will be asked questions so the potential employer can assess your skills and see how you use logic. Your critical thinking ability is just one vital part that can play into your professional development.

• Is there a time you had to convince someone to use an alternate approach to solve a problem?
• Have you ever had to make a difficult decision quickly?
• How would you handle a situation where your supervisor handled something wrong or made a mistake?
• What is one of the most difficult decisions you have ever had to make at work?
• How would you solve a disagreement between coworkers when approaching a project?
• Can you describe a time when you anticipated a problem ahead of time and took the appropriate steps to stop the problem from becoming an issue?
• If you discover a cheaper way to do something or a better solution to a problem and try to explain it to your supervisor, but they don’t understand, what do you do?

Critical Thinking Questions for Kids

We can’t leave the kids out either. Critical thinking questions for kids get them thinking and talking. It also allows a parent to get to know their child better.

• How many grains of sand do you think are on the beach?
• What would happen if it stopped raining?
• Do you think there is life on other planets?
• Should children be able to set their own bedtimes?
• How would you describe what a tree looks like without saying green or leaves?
• Can you name five different emotions?
• Can you talk for five minutes without uttering “um?”

What Are the Basic Principles of Critical Thinking?

Your critical thinking skills involve gathering complete information, understanding and defining terms, questioning the methods by which we get facts, questioning the conclusions, and looking for hidden assumptions and biases.

Additionally, we can’t expect to find all of the answers, and we need to take the time to examine the big picture of it all.

Here are the basic principles:

• Disposition: Someone with critical thinking skills is often skeptical, open-minded, and practices fair-mindedness. They can look at different viewpoints and change positions if the evidence and reason lead them to do so.
• Criteria: In order to think critically, one must also apply criteria. Certain conditions must be met before someone believes in something. The information needs to be from credible sources.
• Argument: An argument is simply a statement or proposition that is shown with supporting evidence. When you use your critical thinking skills, you identify, evaluate, and construct your argument.
• Reasoning: With critical thinking comes reasoning. You must examine logical relationships among the statements being made.
• Point of View: Critical thinkers can see things from different perspectives and different points of view.

What Are Good Analysis Questions?

Analysis is a part of critical thinking that allows you to examine something carefully. Someone with analytical skills can examine the information presented, understand what that information means, and then properly explain that information to others. Analysis in critical thinking provides more clarity on the information you process.

When analyzing, you may ask yourself, “how do I know this,” how would I solve this problem,” and “why does it matter?”

Why Is Critical Thinking an Important Skill?

Critical thinking skills allow you to express thoughts, ideas, and beliefs in a better way. It also leads to improved communication while allowing others to understand you better. Critical thinking fosters creativity and encourages out-of-the-box thinking. This is a skill that can be applied to many different areas of your life.

For example, knowing the answers to critical thinking questions for a job interview will better prepare you for the interview. Many employers, during questioning, are likely to ask you critical thinking questions to assess if you have the ability to evaluate information effectively so you can make more informed decisions.

Final Thoughts on Critical Thinking Questions

Although it's common to get torn between making two or more choices, nobody wants to make the wrong decision. The only thing you can do to avoid this is use critical thinking questions to examine your situation. The answers to these questions will help you make informed decisions and help you comprehend crucial matters in your life. 

Want to learn more about critical thinking and decision-making using a real-life example? Here is  how Jeff Bezos uses critical thinking  to make some of the most challenging life decisions.

Finally, if you want to ask better questions, then watch this short, 20-minute course to learn how to have a great conversation with virtually anyone .

Helping Christian Families Homeschool with Confidence

6 Types of Questions to Foster Critical Thinking Skills

Do you love guiding your child down a path of discovery and wonder? Do you want to stimulate your child's interest and encourage innovation? Do you want to equip your child with critical thinking skills that will serve him well his whole life?

You can take your child’s learning experience to a whole new level by asking him six types of questions. These types of questions will encourage your child to connect what he is learning with what he has learned. They will also inspire your child to explore concepts at a deeper level. Questions that require your child to think on a deeper level will help him practice putting his thoughts and ideas into words, eventually culminating in well-defined communication skills. As time progresses, your child's communication skills will reach far and wide, impacting lives and furthering God's kingdom.

Questions also give you the opportunity to check if your child is understanding concepts and information as he learns. In addition, you will become more familiar with your child’s thought processes, interests, and strengths, helping you to be a stronger influence in his life. After all, questions do more than enhance your child's learning and understanding; they also foster connection and togetherness!

Are you ready to harvest all these benefits from simply asking questions? Learn about these 6 types of questions to foster critical thinking skills and discover how questions can become part of a kingdom-minded legacy for years to come.

1) Content Questions

Ask questions about the content your child just read. These questions have searchable answers found within the text. They encourage comprehension and help your child retain information. Content questions are great for reviewing and summarizing content.

2) Investigative Questions

Investigative questions require research to develop an explanation or conclusion. Research often includes observation, interviews, experiments, testing, and comparison. These types of questions help your child improve his ability to analyze and interpret the world in which we live.

3) Inference Questions

Inference questions will challenge your child to pick up on indirect information: information not directly stated within the text. Inference questions can include phrases like “suggests that” or “could be interpreted to mean.” Inference questions nurture your child’s ability to think about and evaluate the information within the text and come up with logically supported conclusions.

There are three types of inference questions:

Deductive questions require your student to make a logical deduction from what they read rather than relying on the information written.

Speculative questions require your student to theorize or form an opinion about the meaning of the passage or an element within the text.

Examination questions require your student to recognize or determine the author’s, narrator’s, or a character’s perspective and thoughts.

4) Analytical Questions

Ask questions that will help your child evaluate choices, behaviors, and outcomes. These types of questions help your child assess any dilemmas within the story and improve your child's ability to break down problems, make predictions, and think through possible solutions. Analytical questions will help sharpen your child’s ability to reason, make decisions, and solve problems on his own.

Example questions:

· What did the character do?

· What are the possible outcomes given the information you know?

· How do you feel about a character’s choices?

· What were the consequences of a character’s decision?

· What would you have done?

· What does the Bible say about a related circumstance or character trait?

5) Reflective Questions

Have you seen The Karate Kid ? This 1984 American martial arts drama film was written by Robert Mark Kamen and directed by John G Avildsen. If you have seen it, you might remember that Mr. Miyagi started training Daniel LaRusso by having him paint his fence, wax his car, and sand his deck. Daniel gets frustrated, believing he is doing menial chores. Mr. Miyagi reveals to Daniel that those chores were not menial, but rather a way to teach defensive blocks. Mr. Miyagi then proceeds to demonstrate how Daniel can use each defensive block that he learned. Like Daniel, your child can reflect on the new concepts he learned and the various ways in which he can now apply them.

As you ask questions to help your child look back over what he learned and how he learned it, he will realize how those concepts can be useful to his future learning and experiences.

There are three types of reflective questions.

a) Process reflective questions help your child realize how they learned.

What skills or knowledge did you use as you worked?

If you worked with others, describe your experience working together.

Looking back, what would you change if you were to attempt this project again?

b) Product reflective questions encourage your child to identify what they can improve

What was the result of the work, process, or experiment?

What worked out well and what didn’t work out as well?

Can you think of anyone that would benefit from you sharing your experience?

How might that person benefit from you sharing your experience with him?

c) Self-assessment reflective questions encourage discussion that will help your child assess what they have learned and challenge them to apply it. Good self-assessment questions include the following:

What was the main point to what you accomplished or read?

What can you learn from it?

Was there anything you didn’t understand?

Would you like to delve deeper into any of the elements in the lesson?

6) Appreciative Questions

Ask questions that will strengthen your child’s appreciation for what he has learned. Appreciative questions help your child see the present and future potential of applying his current knowledge, abilities, and gifts. Appreciative questions will help your child realize the value of learning, stimulating his motivation and enthusiasm to learn more.

How can you find more information?

Where can you find guidance when you are unsure of what to do?

How can you apply what you have learned to your own life?

How do you implement effective questioning?

Vary the level of questions you ask your child. If your child is struggling with a question that requires deeper thought, check for understanding and retention by asking a simpler question. If you write questions down ahead of time, you will have time to review them to make sure that they are phrased well, that they are organized in a logical sequence, and that they will help your child develop critical thinking skills. If the question process doesn't go smoothly at first, don't give up. As you work through questions with your child, the process will get easier and feel more natural.

Encouragement

If you are committed to reaching goals that have eternal value throughout the question process, you are more likely to find purpose in it. As you ask your child questions, re assure him that you aren't looking for all the "right" answers. Affirm that the real treasure comes through the discussions you have throughout the question process. After all, nothing in your studies can make a bigger impact than thoughtful kingdom-focused dialogue that helps your child develop biblically-based critical thinking skills while cultivating his faith and understanding.

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:14-17, ESV)

As your child reaches adulthood, he will remember and treasure the commitment and time you so lovingly poured into him as you engaged in thoughtful discussion. The discussions most dear to his heart will be those that challenged him to think critically and better align his thoughts and actions with God's word. No doubt, those discussions will help him navigate through his daily life in adulthood with better clarity. Though challenging, these years you spent cultivating discussion as you raise and educate your kids at home will be one of your greatest legacies. Your investment will multiply through generations to come.

-Yvonne Strachan

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