An effective parent asks for explanations of what sense the child has made of events or processes and asks for elaboration to encourage depth of thinking and logical reasoning. When responses do not make sense, they ask about her reasoning in a way that makes her think about her logic or her inconsistencies. As children mature, they learn to separate fantasy from reality and logic from illogic. This growth is fostered by parental re- quests for explanation and elaboration. Similarly, these dialogues promote the development of comparative thinking and differentiated thinking (thinking in degrees).
By asking questions of the child and engaging her in dialogues, she can come to see that there are often multiple ways to view events, people’s behaviors, and their intentions. Asking for analysis promotes the development of logical thinking that turns to searches for evidence to support ideas and ways of testing to determine fact or truth. Even if she does not choose to become a scientist, she still needs to become skilled at theory building and hypothesis testing in her daily life: is she a trustworthy friend; how has this strategy worked for me; does adding or removing a certain food to my diet make me feel better; is a certain website a source of valid information; how do I choose preferences in books, movies and music?
A parent’s genuine interest can lead to healthy challenges to her thinking that forces her to support her ideas and beliefs. The same approach to asking about behaviors and her reasoning can promote self-reflection and healthy self-evaluation. In the process, she can become better at analyzing challenges, attempts, failures, and strategies for reengagement. Logical thinking can develop into an area of strength that allows a child to take on greater challenges, stay engaged longer, and gain greater competence and self-esteem.
Logical thinking is a skill that can serve an adolescent well, especially when faced with challenges from peers to take risks or make impulsive decisions. Learning to analyze before he acts, carefully considering various solutions and thinking about what is best, is an important prerequisite to a safe and satisfying life. Logical thinking guards against falling prey to emotional persuasions and prejudices that bombard them. The more kids know the basis for their own thoughts, feelings, and beliefs the better they will be at analyzing them and defending them when necessary. Consequently, the ability to think logically leads to a greater sense of competence and therefore a more secure self.
