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Higher order thinking is a process that can be learned, and parents can play a huge role in helping their children develop these skills. Parents can help children by teaching them how to analyze new situations, apply concepts he or she may already know, and then evaluate his or her options to make justified conclusions. Here is an example: Scenario A child asks, "Is a spider an insect?" Analysis The parent can ask the child to point out the similarities and differences between a spider and another insect, such as an ant. The parent could also ask open ended questions to help guide the child in this process. For Instance, "How many legs can you count on each one?" Application Once the child has recognized the fact that a spider has eight legs, and an ant has six, a parent can then help them apply information they may already know: "We know that an insect has six legs and three body parts." Evaluation and Conclusion The parent can then help the child process the information to form a conclusion: "Based on the information we already know (an insect has six legs), and the information we just learned (a spider has eight legs), do you think a spider is an insect?" The child can then process the information, to form a valid conclusion. Lesson for the parent A parent could have answered the original question with a simple "no", as they know that a spider is not an insect. However, if you look at the difference in what the child takes away from each experience, it should be clear why getting the answer to a question is not nearly as important as recognizing the thought process that goes into finding the answer. As you teach a child how to use higher order thinking, you will most likely notice that he or she will start applying this process to future scenarios without even being prompted. About The Author: GLN Consulting offers a unique approach to helping teachers facilitate the development of these skills in their students. It specializes in helping teachers of psychology develop and refine these Related Articles -
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