Parents are the primary source of the views children hold toward school, the world and life. Parents can maximize this in a positive way by heeding children’s curiosity and developmental phases. It is likely that if a parent values education and encourages children to do their best in school, then that student will perform. Students who perceive that their parents really don’t have an opinion about what they do in school often receive referrals and do not put their best foot forward in the classroom.
The following family activities can help stimulate the development of critical thinking in children:
- Engage children in conversations about their curiosities
- Praise and reward children for being inquisitive and creative
- Ask questions about what children are doing in school, topics they are studying, and projects they are working on
- Actively listen to what children say
- Encourage children to predict what will happen next in books, TV programs and in real life
- Use daily activities to promote learning, including helping children estimate time and distance of trips, figuring costs when shopping or planning a family event.
It is amazing what you can learn just by listening and talking with your children each day!
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