Questions That Encourage Critical Thinking in Children

Instead of just asking children questions like "How was your day?" or "Are you hungry?", it is important to engage them in conversations that develop their critical thinking skills. For young children, learning how to think independently, solve problems, and handle challenges can make a big difference in how they grow and learn.

Here are seven thoughtful questions you can ask your child to help them think deeply and creatively. These questions can be used in everyday situations—during play, while reading, or during casual conversations.

• What do you think will happen next
  Whether you are reading a book or watching a movie, pause and ask your child what they think will happen next. This encourages them to pay attention to details and make predictions using clues from the story or situation.

• Why do you think that happened
  Asking your child why something happened helps them understand cause and effect. It also helps them make sense of actions and outcomes, allowing them to explore the world in a logical way.

• How would you solve this problem
  When your child faces a problem, encourage them to come up with their own solutions instead of jumping in to fix it. This builds decision-making skills and teaches them to think through different options.

• What would you do differently next time
  After finishing an activity or task, ask what they might change or improve in the future. This helps children reflect on their choices and see mistakes as learning opportunities.

• Can you think of another way to do this
  Encourage creativity and flexible thinking by asking if there is another way to approach a task. It teaches children that there is more than one way to solve a problem.

• What makes you say that
  When your child shares an idea or opinion, ask what made them think that way. This helps them explain their thoughts and learn how to support their ideas with reasons.

• How do you know that is true
  Encourage your child to question what they hear or read. Ask them how they know something is true. This teaches them to think critically, check facts, and not believe everything at face value.