85 How Questions Encourage Critical Thinking in Children

Not all questions are created equal. In this episode we discuss how open-ended questions stimulate critical thinking and curiosity. We explore strategies to move away from giving direct answers and instead, encourage exploration and inquiry. The episode emphasises the significance of waiting for children to formulate their responses and using concrete materials to help them understand concepts. Additionally, it highlights the importance of raising a generation of critical thinkers who are not afraid to ask questions and investigate biases. A free downloadable PDF with open-ended question prompts is also provided to assist in nurturing children’s curiosity.

00:00 The Power of Questions in Engaging Children

00:36 The Purpose of Questions: Inviting Thinking

01:05 Encouraging Curiosity: Moving Away from Closed Questions

01:46 Building on Children’s Interests: Exploration and Inquiry

02:43 The Role of Wait Time in Questioning

03:23 Handling Incorrect Answers: Encouraging Concrete Understanding

04:21 Raising Critical Thinkers: The Importance of Questions

05:13 Resources for Encouraging Curiosity

05:33 Conclusion and Call to Action

Download the open ended questions PDF  HERE

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