Thinking Skills, what parents and teachers can do to help
Thinking Skills
Strategies Teachers and Parents Can Do To Teach Children To Think
Help students overlearn basic skills and fact. This allows them to focus on the actual thinking process.
Model the thought process. Orally discuss the steps you took in determining the answer.
Then ask the child to explain the thought process involved in creating their right answers.
Ask students to articulate what they have learned by asking questions that require explanation. (Do not use yes/no questions.)
Use graphic organizers. They allow you to know instantly if the students are able to classify, organize and list information.
Encourage students to talk to themselves while they think. This is easier for parents to do at home than for the classroom teacher.
Play thinking games with the child, such as brain teasers and word puzzles. Board games can also be helpful. I play a review Battleship game (thanks to Mrs. Brockman for sharing the idea) that helps review basic facts but also requires thinking strategies to win.
Relate subject matter to everyday life and to previously learned materials.
When students are taking notes, occasionally allow students to free note. This is writing down any triggers in their mind that will help them remember the information. Example: Italy is shaped like a boot.
Encourage students to work together on higher level activities. Other students may be able to model this thinking process. Students enjoy learning from each other.
Always provide feedback. Praise the child if they are thinking correctly but never criticize them if they are incorrect. Instead lead them to the correct answer by giving clues, prompts. Remember learning to think is a process.