How Do You Teach Children To Think for Themselves? (religious leader)

[Lightkeeper]

Many times parents are trying to get their children to conform? What is the best way to teach them to think for themselves and also be able to get along well in a group?

[Sunstone]

The most subversive thing you can teach children is to teach them to use logic and reason. If they learn to use logic and reason, they will not only be inclined to think for themselves, but they will also be at odds with the masses of people who do not habitually use logic and reason. But that doesn't seem to further their getting along well in a group. Aye...There's the rub!

You know, it may be more important to teach children to be true to themselves than to teach them any other particular thing.

[Green Gaia]

With my kids, who are still very young, I try to get them to be independent in most aspects of our daily life. I involve them in decisions like, "what's the best way to clean up this room" rather than just telling them to clean it up and how to do it. If they ask me something, I don't automatically give them the answer, but tell them how they can find out for themselves. It's a fine line though, independent, free-thinking children are good thing, but can be a challenge too when they get a bit too independent and free-thinking. I don't need a 5 year old ordering pizza for dinner because he's hungry and took it upon himself to "make" dinner.

[Runt]

I think one way to get children to think for themselves is to not automatically give answers to every question a child asks. Instead, suggest a few places where they can look for the answer themselves. This will encourage them to seek knowledge rather than blindly accepting whatever authority figures (parents, religious leaders) tell them.

[Lightkeeper]

Originally Posted by Maize

With my kids, who are still very young, I try to get them to be independent in most aspects of our daily life. I involve them in decisions like, "what's the best way to clean up this room" rather than just telling them to clean it up and how to do it. If they ask me something, I don't automatically give them the answer, but tell them how they can find out for themselves. It's a fine line though, independent, free-thinking children are good thing, but can be a challenge too when they get a bit too independent and free-thinking. I don't need a 5 year old ordering pizza for dinner because he's hungry and took it upon himself to "make" dinner.

Good Job. I love this post. Involving them in the process is great. That's also a good thing to do with teenagers.

[Bdkimmel61]

A very difficult question considering that ALL wisdom and knowledge comes from the Lord.
Even so in this life I suspect that the 'best' method of teaching the "How to" would be to use it, and vocalize your thoughts at times but not all the time for true logic and reason have their quiet time also and that would be taught also, in the quiet.

It is best to force a child to ask questions by being still at the right time and too to force a child to speak their mind without fear of error.I find that encouraging mistakes encourages deeper thought.The greatest minds we have seen have been ridiculed by the constant search which mothers mistakes.

[Jaymes]

You can't teach anyone to think for themselves. It's something they have to figure out on their own (which I find kind of ironic ). I didn't figure it out until a few years ago. Sometimes free-thinkers can get along in a group if they hold their tongue and realize that just because they think something, they don't have to make sure everyone knows it. I really don't know how to answer the group question... I'm pretty anti-social, and have little to no idea how to interact with groups of people.

Originally Posted by Bdkimmel61

A very difficult question considering that ALL wisdom and knowledge comes from the Lord.

That's a pretty presumptuous statement. Can wisdom and knowledge not come within from self-realization?

[linwood]

You can't teach anyone to think for themselves. It's something they have to figure out on their own (which I find kind of ironic ).

Sure you can...I`ve witnessed it.

[Jaymes]

Originally Posted by linwood

Sure you can...I`ve witnessed it.

I doubt I'll ever be able to believe anyone can be taught to think for themselves. Kind of like writing... you can't teach someone how to be a writer, but you can teach them things that may improve their writing.