What is one way to promote critical thinking skills among elementary students?

Promoting critical thinking skills among elementary students can be effectively achieved by asking open-ended questions. This approach encourages students to think deeply and explore various perspectives, rather than simply recalling facts or memorizing information. Open-ended questions require more than a yes or no answer, prompting students to justify their reasoning, make connections, and articulate their thoughts clearly.

For example, instead of asking a closed question that might lead to a specific answer, such as "What is the capital of Texas?", an open-ended question might be, "Why do you think Texas chose Austin as its capital?" This type of inquiry allows students to analyze and synthesize information, encouraging creativity and critical analysis.

Promoting discussion and engagement around open-ended questions helps develop students' cognitive skills, such as reasoning, problem-solving, and the ability to evaluate different viewpoints. These are foundational skills in critical thinking that will serve students well beyond their elementary education.