Sept/Oct 2016
EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY –
I’M PLAYING AND LEARNING IN MY OWN SPECIAL WAY!
FULL STEAM AHEAD!!!!
STEAMING QUESTIONS
A primary goal of STEAM is to help children develop critical thinking strategies. Critical thinking is open-ended, complex, and can have multiple responses. It’s getting children to think independently and to think outside the box.
From the moment of birth children take in information, respond to information, use that information, and begin to think critically. Children (and adults) use critical thinking every day!
When children solve problems…
When children make comparisons…
When children make decisions and think about the consequences…
When children make connections…
When children evaluate…
They are developing critical thinking skills.
Educators and parents can nurture critical thinking skills in many ways.
Encourage curiosity. Give children interesting materials, time to explore, and freedom.
Invite children to ask questions and evaluate how they could do something differently.
Encourage children to “think out loud.” That will give you insight into where they are and where you need to lead them.
Provide opportunities for children to work with others and talk about ideas.
Brainstorm.
Model researching, reading, and other ways to gather information.
Demonstrate problem-solving skills with every day issues. Talk about solutions and steps to take to solve those problems.
Respect children’s answers. Judging or criticizing their responses will inhibit their creativity and unique perspective.
Ask WHAT questions. What happened? What do you think will happen if…? What would you do? What will happen next…?