How to Raise Independent Thinkers as Your Kids Go Back to School

It’s that time of year again! The kids either are already back in school or will be soon, so education is top of mind for many parents. If you’re one of those parents who worry about the government’s influence on what they learn or are exposed to in school, you’re not alone. But you can combat harmful ideologies by teaching your kids critical thinking skills! If you’re wondering how to raise independent thinkers, here are some tips, starting with books like Tuttle Twins for kids.

Photo: Tuttle Twins

Books That Teach Critical Thinking

The Tuttle Twins series includes some of the best books that teach critical thinking. Parents wondering how to raise independent thinkers will find multiple titles that do exactly that. The Tuttle Twins books wrap every lesson into an exciting adventure that engages kids and helps them retain what they learn. Your kids will want to read these books over and over, and with each fresh read, they’ll learn something else while reinforcing what they already learned!

An important part of critical thinking is considering the potential consequences of every action, and several of the Tuttle Twins books demonstrate what happens when certain decisions are made. In The Tuttle Twins and the Road to Surfdom, the twins investigate a road that was built to help travelers reach a beach called Surfdom.

They quickly discover that building the road had some unintended consequences that neither decision makers nor the press paid attention to. By thinking critically about this problem, the twins learn how to consider the consequences of every action before moving on it.

Speaking of consequences, in The Tuttle Twins and the Fate of the Future, the twins watch a dystopian movie that portrays a future of coercion — and they realize the need to think critically about how to avoid such a future. The twins learn that the fate of all of humanity depends on thinking critically about ways to work together peacefully to build a better society that doesn’t depend on coercion.

PHOTO: Tuttle Twins

Activities to Teach Critical Thinking

Books that teach critical thinking are only the beginning for parents wondering how to raise independent thinkers, but there are also plenty of activities to help with this too. Logic puzzles like sudoku or the game of chess will give your kids a boost in the area of critical thinking. Strategy games like Risk are also a great way to teach critical thinking skills, as are escape rooms, which can be an exciting and engaging way to inject something new and different that appeals to all ages into the family routine.

Some other activities to teach critical thinking include holding mock debates and offering open-ended questions around the dinner table to spark conversations that involve critical thinking. You can also play devil’s advocate in response to thoughts your kids might have to get them to think about why they believe the way they do — and whether it’s possible that they could come up with a better way to think or do things.

For parents who wonder how to raise independent thinkers, there are lots of ways to do that, from books that teach critical thinking to fun activities the whole family will enjoy. Books like Tuttle Twins for kids are more than just a solitary activity. They’re also a great way to spark discussions that will lead to them putting their thinking cap on and actually using their newly learned critical thinking skills!