Course | Child Development: Critical Thinking

This free online course looks at the theories and methods used to improve critical thinking skills in children.

This early childhood development course explains the history and neurophysiology of critical thinking. We delve into thinking skills in babies and children, including methods to improve critical thinking. We then establish the importance of the role of teachers in improving critical thinking skills. Sign up to learn the fundamentals of critical thinking and study the psychoanalytic method of developing youngsters’ overall intelligence.

In This Free Course, You Will Learn How to

Analyze the components of thinking skills
Evaluate the higher-order thinking skills
Discuss the development of critical thinking in early childhood
Recognize how to improve critical thinking skills in early childhood
Explain the role of teachers and students in improving critical thinking skills
Classify the relationship between inquiry-based activities and critical thinking

Course Description

Thinking is the most basic human characteristic. One researcher in this field stated the importance of thinking by saying, "If we didn't think, we wouldn't exist." We begin this course by explaining the history, and neurophysiology of critical thinking in early childhood. We also examine higher-order thinking skills in babies and children, including the development of critical thinking in early childhood. This course will help you answer questions like: "What are the skills needed for thinking ability?" and "What are the basic features of critical thinking?"

The material explains how to improve critical thinking skills in early childhood and the different methods of doing so. We explain the importance of identifying the various types of thinking skills. The course lays out the role of the teacher and students in supporting critical thinking skills. We then move on to the inquiry-based activities in preschool including the relationship between inquiry-based activities and critical thinking. Finally, we will help you answer questions like: "How can critical thinking help children?" and "What is the approach introduced by pioneering psychologist Lev Vygotsky?".

This course provides the tools you need to master the practical principles of fostering critical thinking in early childhood. You can use these techniques confidently in your activities with babies and preschoolers, from the first signs that critical thinking is taking shape to dealing with teachers. Sign up to learn these foundational methods for developing critical thinking in early childhood.

Course Modules

Module 1
Critical Thinking in Children
This module will begin by helping you analyze an overview of the thinking ability. Alison will also help you find information on higher-order thinking skills. You will also analyze making inferences. You will find answers to questions like: "How can critical thinking help children?" and "What is the approach introduced by Vygotsky?"
Learning Outcomes
Introduction to Thinking Ability
Critical Thinking
The Development of Critical Thinking
Early Childhood
Supporting Critical Thinking
The Role of Teachers and Students
Learning Inquiries
Storyline Method
Lesson Summary

Module 2
Course assessment