Several decades ago, one of my grandpa’s primary parenting goals was to teach his children how to think.
My dad and his siblings still remember the riddles their dad posed, the problems he had them work through, and the puzzles they worked together.
I’m thankful that my Dad trained me in similar ways. But as I parent my own children, I’m learning that teaching kids how to think requires effort. Teaching them to solve their own problems involves intention.
I’m at Intoxicated on Life today, discussing how I’m trying to help my kids learn the valuable thinking skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. I hope you’ll join me there and share your ideas, too.
Here’s an excerpt:
While I’m in the same boat with all parents who like seeing their kids happy, it’s time we stop seeing our kids’ happiness as the ultimate goal. Happiness, after all, is a shallow and alarmingly deceptive gauge for our kids’ well-being.
Because there are more important things for my kids than what makes them happy.
Like what makes them healthy.
Critical thinking is among the most essential skills our kids need for healthy relationships and productive contributions to their families, their churches, their communities, and their places of business.
So where do we start in this pursuit of teaching our children how to think?
Jennifer, it is interesting that you would post this. Just this week, my husband had two separate conversations with people in the dental industry. One, like my husband, is a dentist. The other is a man who helps dentists with buying and selling dental practices. Both of them told Greg that the new dentists coming out of school today are so different than dentists from even 10 years ago. These new grads do not know how to reason and problem solve. They know how to grab their phone and look up something on the internet, but they can not reason out a problem for themselves. They will have to be trained to do that by older dentists. If they cannot problem solve and reason in their work life, it stands to reason that they won’t be able to in their personal lives. Sets society up for all kinds of problems.
I agree, Leah! I think the consequences will be far-reaching. Thanks for sharing your perspective on this!
Hey Jennifer,
Hope you are doing well this afternoon.
I took some time today to look at all of the referrals to my website. I was thrilled to see that so many wonderful visits had come from your site.
I just wanted to express my thanks and let you know that I appreciate you!
54 visits have come as a direct result of your website!
This amazed me, and I thought it might encourage you to know that other people (like me) are benefitting from your ministry.
I pray that God will bless and you and encourage you~
Melanie
This is wonderful news, Melanie, and so encouraging. 🙂 Thank you for letting me know! I pray God’s continued blessing on your ministry, also, and I’m glad we’re laboring together.