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Why Children Don't Think and What We Can Do About It

Winston Hayes

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Published in Endangered Minds: Why Children Dont Think And What We Can Do About I

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Why Children Don't Think

There are a number of reasons why children don't think as well as adults. One reason is that their brains are still developing. The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for higher-Free Download thinking skills such as planning, problem-solving, and decision-making, is not fully developed until the early 20s.

Another reason why children don't think as well as adults is that they lack experience. They have not had the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and develop the strategies that adults use to solve problems.

Finally, children are often discouraged from thinking critically. They are told to memorize facts and follow instructions, but they are not given the opportunity to ask questions or challenge the status quo.

Endangered Minds: Why Children Dont Think And What We Can Do About I

by Jane M. Healy

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1056 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	395 pages

What We Can Do About It

There are a number of things that we can do to help children develop their thinking skills. One important thing is to provide them with opportunities to learn from their mistakes. When children make mistakes, they should not be punished. Instead, they should be encouraged to reflect on their mistakes and learn from them.

Another important thing that we can do is to encourage children to ask questions. We should answer their questions honestly and patiently, and we should encourage them to ask more questions.

Finally, we need to give children the opportunity to think critically. We should ask them open-ended questions and encourage them to challenge the status quo. We should also provide them with opportunities to solve problems and make decisions.

Helping children develop their thinking skills is essential for their success in school and in life. By providing them with opportunities to learn from their mistakes, ask questions, and think critically, we can help them reach their full potential.

About the Author

David Perkins is a Harvard psychologist who has spent his career studying how people learn. He is the author of several books on education, including Why Children Don't Think and What We Can Do About It and Smart Schools: From Training Memories to Educating Minds.