Critical thinking
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Critical thinking is a core element of being an effective educator.
When an educator uses critical thinking skills such as interpreting, analyzing, testing, evaluating, explaining, sequencing, reasoning, comparing, questioning, inferring and hypothesizing, for example, it influences behaviour of both the educator and others.
Critically reflective practice enables better listening and supports educators to provide the best outcomes for children and their families.
Critical thinking involves evaluating and using evidence or observation to support this evaluation and in doing so one is able to form a conclusion and problem solve or implement strategies based on the information.
Key elements of critical thinking
- To have self awareness- the ability to identify your perspectives and why you think the way you do
- Engage in self reflection- what role did you play? What did you do/bring to the situation/interaction?
- Effective communication- communicating and listening to others
- Time and space- is required for the critical reflection process
- Support- from their leaders and peers. Educators can support by providing modeling, time and space for engaging in reflection, a prime example is through discussions and prompting.
- Collaboration- with educators, families and children.
Critical thinking prompts
| Who | What | Where | When | Why | How |
| Benefits from this? | Are the strengths / weaknesses? | Are the areas for improvement? | Should we ask for help? | Is this the best/worst case scenario? | Do we approach this safely and respectfully? |
| Is this harmful to? | Is most/least important? | Is the most need for this? | Would this benefit? | Has it been this way for so long? | Does this harm/affect others? |
| Would be the best person to consult? | Would be a counter argument? | Would we see this in the ‘real’ world? | Is the best time to take action? | Are people influenced by this? | Can we change this for the better good? |
| Deserves recognition for this? | Is the best/worst case scenario? | In the world would this be a problem? | Can we expect this to change? | Is this relevant? | Does this benefit? |
| Is most directly affected? | Is getting in the way of action? | Can we get more information? | Will we know it has succeeded? | Is there a need for this? | Does this disrupt things? |
| Makes decisions about this? | Is another alternative? | Do we go for help or advice on this? | Would this cause a problem? | Should people know about this? | Do we know the truth about this approach/thing? |
| Will be the key people with this? | Can we do to make a positive change? | Are the similar concepts/situations? | Is this acceptable/unacceptable? | Is this a problem/challenge? | Is this similar to…? |
Renae (Seriously Kids)
Renae is the founder & CEO of SK who has been working with families for decades. Her educational background and experience in the Early Childhood sector, as well as Social Science and Community Services has provided a broad base to her approach which focuses on balancing the informative but never at the expense of providing an entertaining read. From working in the private setting, not for profit, as well as government agencies and at times combining her love of travel and work on a global scale, she is also a mum who has experienced the poo blowouts, the shopping tantrums and the sleepless nights.
