Nurturing Critical and Creative Thinking Skills

Erin HealySt Joseph’s Kununurra

What are Critical and Creative Thinking Skills?

• Thinking is complex, a variety of skills that we often use in collaboration with each other

• Encouraging children to think for themselves

• Metacognition

Why?

• We want our students to become independent thinkers

• Improves neuroplasticity of the brain• Improves cognitive growth• General capabilities • Early Years Learning Framework• Engage all children, especially those

with FASD and trauma in new ways

A thinking classroom

Is a classroom where; Opportunities to solve different

types of problemsDifferent ways of thinking are valuedPractice is provided Ideas and demonstrations of thinking

are valued, acknowledged and encouraged

How do you identify creative kids?

☺They are imaginative, respectful and uninhibited

☺They are open to new idea and see things in a different way

☺They are curious, alert and adventurous

☺They are risk takers

☺They are independent in their thinking and social behaviours

☺They are inventive

☺They are good at solving problems

☺They love challenges and can be easily bored with routine and mundane tasks

• Classroom set up

• Classroom management

• Language of instruction

• Open ended activities

• Reflections

How?

• Use strategies and provide experiences that;- honor the thinking process-recognise the possibility that there is more than one answer- value alternative views- promote attentive listening- foster whole group engagement- support problem solving, creative and flexible thinking

Getting started

• Select a challenge

• Present it to the whole group

• Every child provides a response

• Answers can be real or fanciful

• Support those who need it

Getting started

• Kindergarten

• Pre Primary

• Kindy and Year 4 Buddy class

The St Joey’s Context

There was an old lady…

Stepping Stones Visit

Melbourne Cup

Melbourne Cup

Melbourne Cup

Melbourne Cup

Melbourne Cup

What pets do we have?

What pets do we have?

What pets do we have?

What pets do we have?

What pets do we have?

What would be a good/bad pet for the Pigeon?

What would be a good/bad pet for the Pigeon?

What would be a good/bad pet for the Pigeon?

Transition Questions

• Something that is an animal• Something that is soft• Something that could be invisible• Something that is scary• Something that you are not having

for lunch• Something that you find at home