BBB Books
"A strong, positive self-image is the best possible preparation for success."*
As a retired math teacher, I would like to ask parents/guardians to help their children build confidence and positive self-esteem so they go to school and find learning easier. You can do this by helping your child develop critical thinking skills, starting at the age of 4 (depending on your child).
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What is critical thinking? Answer: to be able to make reasonable judgments, identify problems, come up with solutions, and filter reliable information necessary for independent learning.
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Critical thinking skills come about initially with an atmosphere of trust...trust in those close to the child who respect and do not make fun of the child. It is where children are asked questions, especially open-ended questions, prompting them for an answer. The key to this is allowing the child to observe, make comparisons and form opinions.
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The child’s answer is based on the child’s experience and observations. Since the young child is in the process of learning, this means the child might be wrong, which is OK. Depending on the original questions, if it was based on fact, e.g., comparing a straight or curved surface and the child answers incorrectly, then proceed to correct the answer non-judgmentally by demonstrating why the adult answer is correct.
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Critical thinking skills ultimately aid in the development of logic that begins at approximately the age of 12.
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Critical thinking also results from encouraging children to problem-solve through activities such as pretending and participating in explorative activities at a young age.
Join me in helping your
child build a foundation
for critical thinking in the
early years...
For Starters…
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you can read one or both of the following books to your child, ages 4-7. The books show young people solving problems. When I Use My Brain, I Have Much to Gain is a book where 2 best girlfriends are pretending. And Seek a Creek, Adventure at a Peak is a book involving a 5-year old boy going on an explorative activity with his brother, age 18. The books are meant to entertain your child, and at the end of each book, I have a list of open-ended questions you can ask your child related to the book.
Maggie and her friend, Zuri, are frightened by the
thunder outside, imagining that it’s a fierce lion from
the jungle after them. What can they do in their
efforts to build a fort in the attic as a refuge for
them and those they love? Read and share the
excitement of two girls using their brains to solve
problems during the wonders of pretending in
Maggie’s attic.
Adrian and Finn are brothers and headed for the creek in the country. Finn is excited because he finally has a chance to spend time with his older brother before he goes to college. The day at the creek turns out to be more than Finn could have imagined. He learns about nature and activities specific to creeks. He also learns that changing nature requires taking responsibility for the consequences. Above all, Finn learns about building confidence. I’d say the adventure hits a peak!
The WHY behind Creating My Books and Website:
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I taught and tutored math to high school and college students for 20 years and loved it. However, students often asked me: “Why do I have to take math? I’ll never use it!” It appears that no one ever explained to these individuals that math is an important foundation for logical thinking and that the disciplines of math transfer to the disciplines of life.
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There is a lot of information available on the web relative to building a foundation for critical thinking in the early years of a child's life. Still, I wanted a medium that more quickly reached parents or guardians. So, because most parents like to read to their children, I decided to write children's books with an emphasis on helping a child develop critical thinking skills that closely relate to decision-making and problem-solving. Some of the techniques used in doing this are:
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- Asking open-ended questions
- Pretend play
- Explorative activities
The Purpose for Creating My Books and Website:
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To entertain children ages 4-7.
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To share with parents and/or guardians through the medium of books how they can help their children lay the groundwork for critical thinking.
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To do my part to act upon a definite problem that exists with many of our students...that is, many children who are not prepared to “think” beyond what they are already familiar with!!!
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By the time of middle school, many children find math overwhelming. They have often convinced themselves that they aren’t “smart enough” for the subject.
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Ages 4-7 is a great time to establish the following attributes in children:
- How to think: use one’s mind actively to form connected ideas.
- Gain confidence and positive self-esteem
Examples of open-ended questions or statements:
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Below are examples of open-ended questions to ask your child that encourage your child to "think." However, the following points are important considerations when interacting with your child:
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Readiness is everything. Your child may not be ready to answer the question. In this case, do not criticize, but use prompting questions that might help the child. For example, regarding the question: Tell me what is the same about these objects? What is the difference? Relative to what is the same, you might start with the basics: What is the color of these objects? Isn’t this what is the same about these objects? Then, ask what the difference is for the second time. If the child still cannot answer, share the difference and explain why. This is a soft way of getting your child familiar with inquiring questions.
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Please note: Just because you’re using these techniques to help your child lay a foundation for critical thinking doesn’t mean he/she will like math, but at least when your child is learning mathematical principles, he/she is more comfortable with the process associated with solving a problem.
