Teach Kids How to Think

    

Kids say a lot of things.

Some of it thoughtful.
Some of it confusing.
Some of it… uncomfortable to hear.

And when they do, our instinct as parents is to jump in — to correct, explain, or replace their words with what we believe is the “right” way to think.

But here’s something important to consider:

When we focus on telling kids what to think,
we miss the opportunity to teach them how to think.

   

Why telling doesn’t always stick

We’ve all said things like:

“Being first doesn’t make you more important.”
“I love you both equally.”
“Reading level doesn’t define intelligence.”

These are true. They’re well-meaning.
But often… they don’t land.

Why?

Because they don’t come from the child’s own thinking process. They come from ours.

And without that internal process, the message doesn’t stick for long.

     

What actually helps children grow

Instead of replacing your child’s thoughts, try slowing down.

Pause.
Listen.
Get curious.

When your child says something like:
“I have to be first.”
“You don’t have time for me.”
“I’m not as good as my friends.”

Start here:

“I’m really glad you told me that.”
“I can see this really matters to you.”

Then, instead of correcting — explore.

      

Questions that build thinking

Try using open-ended prompts like:

• “Tell me more about that.”
• “What happened next?”
• “How did that feel?”
• “What do you think would make it better?”
• “Let’s figure this out together.”

These questions do something powerful.

They teach children to:

• reflect
• process
• understand their own thoughts
• build problem-solving skills

      

Why this matters

When children learn to think about their thinking, they become more aware, more confident, and more capable of handling challenges.

They don’t just rely on answers — they learn how to find them.

And that’s a skill that stays with them for life.

     

Teaching kids how to think doesn’t require long lectures.

It requires patience, curiosity, and the willingness to pause — even when it would be easier to correct.

Because sometimes, the most powerful teaching happens in the questions we ask.

     

Coach Benjamin Mizrahi
Educator • Learning Specialist • Family Coach • Father • Husband

For more articles and resources, visit www.mrmizrahi.com