Teaching the little ones to think is to ensure their future

Educating is not easy, and even less so is teaching how to think. Since both things require effort and dedication, and in most cases, we have not been taught since we were children and, therefore, we do not know how to do it with our little ones.

To teach thinking, the first thing we have to consider is that our children are capable of doing it. And, despite their young age, they have the capacity to begin to develop their logic, reasoning and strategies, so necessary for life, such as learning to make decisions.

Obeying is not educational

Contrary to what we are used to hearing, obeying does not educate, it does not teach, It only serves to generate submission and make sure that everything will be under our control when we get our little ones to obey us.

Obeying can be asked of a pet, since it does not think and its training involves obeying in exchange for a reward. However, Our children, as human beings, even though they are small, have the ability to think, to understand and reason. Of course, they have the right to be themselves, with their ideas, convictions and reasoning, even when we disagree.

The difficulty of educating without submission

Without a doubt, if we look from the perspective of the adult educator, its alot more difficult to educate without asking for obediencedoing so through respect, valuing and teaching our little ones to think.

In childhood, we have the ability to absorb everything that surrounds us, and get an idea of ​​the world, adapted to our age. This means that If we teach children to obey Staying under that restriction will be an easy task for the adult.managing the situation with imposition and authoritarianism, inducing fear of punishments and their reactions if they are not obeyed.

However, the little one will learn that he is not important to the world, feeling insecure because of it. Therefore, The difficulty of education is, without a doubt, when we try to teach the child to thinkto understand, to draw your own conclusions and reflections.

Dedication, time and stimulation

Teaching to think requires dedication, time, patience and knowing how to do it., using the appropriate strategies. To do this, a thoughtful, respectful, and loving attitude is needed, so that the stimulation leads to good results.

Without a doubt, these results mean allowing the child to grow up emotionally healthy, to feel loved, respected and listened to. Therefore, the little one will grow up confident and strong to face life’s adversities as an adult, knowing how to reflect on them and make the best decisions.

How to teach thinking?

To teach thinking it is important to take into account a series of strategies at an educational level that will allow the little one to grow, defining himself before life and before us, learning and understanding the world and what is most beneficial for him and his path in life, always counting on our love, support and closeness. These strategies are:

First of all, show and express to our son that he is the most important thing to us in lifetransmitting the affection, love and recognition that they deserve for their improvement, learning and growth. Offering them the opportunity to make their own path, that is, not giving things done, solved or finishedbut rather, through support and accompaniment, allow him to do it, even at the risk of making a mistake and even if this means correcting it later.Communication and language are essential. By this, we refer to the verbal, the non-verbal and the emotional. It is very important to speak to him in a clear, simple and loving way.Given their reasoning and small decisions, it is advisable hear, explain their consequences, and in some cases, let them experience the consequences of their own convictions, so that, from the experience, they can draw their own reflections and their own learning. Reinforce, be positive with them in their small achievements and discoveries and motivate them towards what the adult believes is important for them to learn, for example, hygiene habits, study, behaviors, etc…

Leave behind impositions

It is important to reach agreements, to agreed consequences, so that through communication, understanding and negotiation, the little ones become part of the decisions, the norms and values ​​that we want to teach them and, in short, of their own lives, thinking for themselves what motivates and excites them the most.

In this way our children will grow up emotionally healthy, self-confident and capable of making their own decisions in life.

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