The Importance of Developing Critical Thinking Skills for Students

 "Critical thinking is the art of thinking about thinking in an intellectually disciplined manner... they analyse thinking, they assess thinking, and they improve thinking"

– Dr. Richard Paul

Critical thinking is perhaps the most essential life skill, dating back to the era of the Greek philosophers, and yet it took a long time to become a global focus and the buzzword in the education system. The times we are living in at present are those when children are inundated by excessive information via multiple portals opened by technological advancements. In many ways, critical thinking reflects being compassionately connected with oneself and the world around oneself, as both require an individual to analyse why someone thinks the way they do, evaluate it, and incorporate this understanding into their own judgement and response. The same process applies to situations, circumstances, and hurdles in life. Leading educational institutions, including CBSE schools in Ahmedabad, to make critical thinking an integral part of their curriculum.

To better understand the importance of critical thinking and how this critical skill can help students make informed decisions and live a more fulfilling life, let us look at its impactful attributes.

1.     Life decisions: Children today are more advanced with advanced knowledge, information, and multitudes of options and avenues easily available to them courtesy of the internet and social media platforms. In such a scenario, it is natural for children to feel confused, pressured, and at times misled by the onslaught and pressure created by the excessive exposure. Critical thinking skills prepare the students to have a balanced approach to a problem or hurdle, analyse it, and make informed decisions whether concerning their studies, their social circles, activities, or everyday life in general. The teachers at CBSE schools in Ahmedabad near Satellite play a very important role in preparing the students for their future. Teaching them critical thinking and helping them master the skill equips students with the necessary tools that help them find their place instead of feeling lost and confused.

2.     Mental health: The most essential requisite for a healthy mental state is balance in thoughts and perspective. DR. Paul’s quote above clearly says how critical thinking helps in building and maintaining this balance. The ability to analyse one’s own thoughts and those of others before taking a decision or reacting helps reduce the complexity of a problem or situation. A calm, analytical approach leads to clarity of mind and informed responses, which are important for mental health. The importance of this skill magnifies further with distressing news about the increase in depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues in the young generation.

3.     Higher education and career: Globally, all the universities and companies expect the students and candidates to be critical thinkers, making it a fundamental requirement for students of schools in Ahmedabad preparing for higher education and choosing their career paths leading to working careers. In present times, critical thinking is not just limited to professions like medicine, law, or the armed forces but is a pre-requisite for all career paths. And in a highly competitive world, critical thinkers will have an edge over their peers in the rapidly saturating job market. Additionally, in the technological age where artificial intelligence is posing a threat to jobs, critical thinking is what makes humans stand apart and above computers and AI generated bots, thereby making critical thinkers indispensable.

4.     Process information: In a rapidly polarising world where fake news and propaganda have become weapons of assault on our senses, thinking, and perspectives, making critical thinking the need of the hour for the students in CBSE schools in Ahmedabad and the citizens of the world, especially the youth who are the future torch bearers and leaders. This essential life skill helps disseminate the deluge of information by analysing the source and separating facts from fiction, leading to a balanced perspective and an independent thinking mind that can draw its own conclusions and take decisions accordingly.

5.     Life skill: Over and above the important points mentioned above, critical thinking enriches life by improving communication skills, which are the foundation of all social and personal interactions, thereby improving relationships, along with enhancing creativity, problem solving, and building self-confidence and self-belief.

Introducing and teaching critical thinking from an early age will help build a sounder foundation for the students, making them more confident and self-assured individuals. The school in Ahmedabad understands the importance of critical thinking and makes it mandatory learning for all its students.