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Develop Critical Thinking Skills with Your Kids: Do Puzzles for FUN

Updated: 3 days ago

AI is here to stay, and it’s changing everything.


For a world increasingly run by technology, our kids must learn to think critically.


Without this skill, they risk being left behind—or even replaced by the robots they use.


Now, more than ever, teaching kids how to think, not just what to think, is essential.

How can we teach that to younger kids?


Puzzles, that's how. They give us nearly ENDLESS opportunities to teach critical thinking skills to kids. With ZERO screen time. All kinds of puzzles.


A young child practices critical thinking skills. He faces a problem: We have three hats. The hats are red, blue, and yellow. Jack has the red hat. Edie does not have the blue hat. What color is Zoey's hat? The student's head depicts him putting together a puzzle inside as he says to himself: "I can do this! I will start with what I know for sure..."

Logic helps us make sense of things, solve problems, and make decisions.


Logic can be taught in a fun way with PUZZLES!

With guidance and resources, kids can learn logic. And they'll develop thinking skills that help them for their entire lives.


Why Do Kids Need Critical Thinking Skills?


Our kids live in a time of "information overload."


Information is so readily accessible that it just gets overwhelming.


Kids' attention is pulled quickly from one thing to the next. ADHD diagnoses are on the rise. Executive function skills are declining.


Critical thinking skills foster independence and self-reliance.


Kids who engage in regular critical thinking develop a sense of ownership over their learning processes.


They learn to set goals, generate solutions, and assess outcomes.


Critical thinking skills can help kids analyze situations, evaluate evidence, and make informed decisions.


By developing critical thinking abilities, children learn to question assumptions, recognize biases, and differentiate between fact and opinion.


Does Learning Logic Support Critical Thinking Development?


Logic helps kids build the skills that help us think things through. It gives them a framework for real-world challenges without any scary experiences or risk.


Logic puzzles are fun. And it's much better to solve small problems on paper before having to solve bigger problems in real life.


Each time they solve a small puzzle, kids are learning that they CAN. They build confidence. They start to trust their instincts. They also learn to approach problems with a step-by-step mindset.


This independence is crucial as children grow. It gives them the tools they need to face all kinds of situations.


A teenager uses critical thinking skills to plan. Her head is filled with well organized puzzle pieces and she is thinking: I have soccer on Tues/Thurs and chess on Monday. I'll study for Friday's test on Sunday and Wednesday ..."

Every time you've planned a meal - from the time you wanted to serve it, to who was coming, when you should start cooking, and what you should buy - you used a system related to logic.


Or when you figured out what time you needed to arrive at the airport for your flight - you worked backwards, using what you knew for sure, like what time it took off and how long it would take to get there.


Or when you planned your family's summer trip: you started with the dates you knew were already taken.


Adults get these planning and problem solving skills (executive function skills!!) by practicing in childhood.


Kids that don't learn these skills struggle later in school and on into adulthood.


What is Logic, Anyway?


Logic is the systematic study of reasoning. Think of it as the backbone of critical thinking.


Part of logic is understanding the principles of valid reasoning and constructing sound arguments.


Learning logic helps kids develop the ability to think abstractly and to connect ideas in meaningful ways.


Logic empowers them to break down complex problems into manageable parts, making it easier to identify solutions.


The importance of logic in a child's development cannot be overstated. It is the groundwork for effective decision-making.


Does Learning Logic Help Kids with School?


Logical reasoning is a key component of problem-solving and comprehension.


In math, kids need to understand sequences to solve equations.


In science, they have to apply reasoning to formulate hypotheses and draw conclusions from experiments.


Logic also builds important communication skills for learning in all subjects.


Children who think critically can articulate their thoughts and arguments - clearly and persuasively. They also learn to listen actively, analyze different viewpoints, and respond thoughtfully.


By expressing their ideas and engaging in discussions, they learn to appreciate the perspectives of others, too.


When logic is part of their education, kids are better equipped to tackle subjects that require analytical thinking.


There isn't a lot of logic taught in public schools. When it is, it's often just for students in enrichment or gifted programs. But EVERYBODY benefits from logic skills, and EVERYBODY can learn them.

Excited to learn more? High Potential Kids is sharing NEW logic materials very soon!


Check out this site's most popular free download: 10 Ways to Add Intellectual Challenge and Rigor.


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