How To Teach Logical Thinking To A Child: 7 Ways

The word "logic" in Greek is “the science of right thinking.” In a broad sense, it refers to the ability to solve tasks without relying on intuition and experience, but rather on the principles of correct reasoning. What is logic for kids and how to teach a child logical thinking?

 

It’s important to start teaching logic to preschoolers and children of primary school age as early as possible as it is a key aspect to their mental and social development. Through logical thinking, children can analize situations, understand cause and effect, and find the best solutions to in every circumstance.  

There are many articles, books and interactive platforms for this where you can learn more about teaching and studying logic. 

In this article, we will learn t why logical thinking is important, along with a couple of exercises to encourage the development of critical thinking in children. 

The process of formation of kids logic 

(Mastering the skill of logic as a kid is always not easy, but it is essential). Only Logical thinking in children is formed on the basis of sensory perception of the world around them. The more developed their sensory perception is, the easier and faster they will be able to solve logical tasks.

Here are a few ways you can encourage logical thinking in your child: 

• Teach them aboutcolors,shades, sounds, and smells

• Encourage social interactions and communication with others 

• Take them on trips to see new places 

• Spend time with nature, observing and interacting with animals and plants 

When is the best time to develop Logic? 

In addition to sensory perception, intelligence also plays a role in the development of logic in children. Studies show that mental abilities are most receptive between the ages of 5 and 8, so it’s important to start teaching logical thinking early to provide a strong foundation. Accordingly, errors in the process of intellectual development can have far-reaching consequences that are are difficult to eliminate. 

How to explain logic to a child? To make logical conclusions, it’s important to have a basic understanding of reasoning skills. This skill is closelyrelated to mental abilities, which is why children who are more intelligent may find it easier to solve logical problems. However, it’s important to note that logic is a skill that can be learned and developed with practice, therefore, all children have the potential to improve their logical thinking abilities.   Between the ages of 3 to 5, a child should have a sufficient intellectual basis so they are ripe and ready for logicaldevelopment and critical thinking. Your Child Should be Able To:

• Distinguish at least 10 colors;

• Understand the basic concept of cause and effect of the surrounding world (e.g., why it rains);

• Know at least one or two familiar routes (e.g.kindergarten-home, shop-home);

• Tellmeaningful stories;

• Imitate the habits, movements and voices of animals through role play;

• Performa sequence of 3 actions (e.g. take a candy, unwrap, bring the candy to mom).

Why is the early development of logical thinking in children important?

Logical thinking is an essential skill that we use daily to solve problems and make decisions. From deciding how to invest money to choosing when to plant flowers.  Without the ability to think logically, it would be difficult to analize options, establish cause and effect relationships and recognize patterns. Why is the early growth of logic in a child important?

• Successful learning: Developed logical thinking can help children better understand and process information, identify the main points and remember them effectively by filtering out unnecessary information.  

• Communication: Logical thinking if essential for effective communication, as it allows children to ask questions and formulate answers in a clear and coherent manner.  

Critical thinking: The ability to be critical of information is important for evaluating the truthfulness and reliability of sources. Without logical thinking, it may be difficult for children to distinguish truth from lies, or to question contradictory information. Making non-standard decisions: In many high paying careers, such as top management or IT, the ability to find creative solutions to problems is highly valued. Logical thinking is a key component to problem solving and creative thinking.     

These are just a few examples of why it’s important to teach logical thinking to children at an early age. Logical thinking is a fundamental skill that underlies nearly all human activities, and without it, it would be difficult to deduce patterns, create rules or perform a simple task like picking up a stone.

7 ways to teach logic to a child

By the time your child is 4-5 and his mental abilities have been sufficiently developed, it’s time to encourage him to utilize his mental thinking skills to develop logic. How to teach a child logical thinking? Here are 7 tips. 

1. Building Games

Children are excellent builders and creators. They have an unlimited imagination and do not have restrictions that constrain their imagination due to reality or practicality. With standard Legos, kids can build amazing things: fairy-tale castles, original cars, miracle mechanisms and even whole cities.

Encourage your child to build things not just according to the instructions, but to use their imagination and create their own original ideas. 

2. Chess

Chess is an excellent game for developing logic. It teaches children to think critically, analyze the moves of the opponent, remember combinations, predict the outcome of the game, and find the best possible solution within a limited period of time. A simplified version of the game, such as checkers, is also suitable for children of 4, 5 or 6 years old. This is a good way to develop logical thinking in preschoolers.

3. Subject Games

For younger preschoolers, games such as lotto, dominoes, modular constructors, and magnetic mosaics can be useful in developing structural and logical thinking, as well as memory and imagination.

4. Search for Patterns

Older preschoolers can develop logical thinking skills by identifying patterns. A simple way to do it is through the association game: 

• An adult names an object;

• Thechild names another object that is associated with the named by the adult.;

• The adult can then ask a few questions to determine which associative series a child has used to name the word.

This is an easy way to develop child logic skills.

5. Cause and Effect

Children can learn to determine cause and effect relationships by playing games. For example:

• An adult names an event;

• The child guesses its cause.

You can start with simple phenomena (such as a cold, a broken cup, wet feet in winter) and gradually make it more complicated (such as a road accident, skin tan, etc.) You can also play an investigation game:

• An adult names an event;

• The child guesses the consequences.

For example, to light a fire in the apartment will causea fire to break out, eating too many sweets will cause a stomachache , to miss a train will causea trip to be canceled.

6. Board Games

Board games can be a fun and organic way to develop logical thinking skills. . Children do not even realize that they’re learning while they’re having fun playing a game. 

7. Logical series

For primary school-age children, logical rows of improvised items are suitable – such as buttons sorted by size, alphabetical cubes, and hair bands sorted by rainbow colors.

Alternate objects with different characteristics in a certain pattern and invite the child to continue your pattern (For example two red counting sticks and one white, then again two red and one white). . For older children, use numerical patterns (like the ones found in IQ tests).

Admiring smart and talented children, we sometimes forget how much patience and dedication their parents invested in their development and education. This is a painstaking and continuous process, where the results have long-term significance. The goal is not to entertain parents’ self-esteem, but to give a child the opportunity to maximize their potential. The results are rewarding; children who have developed logical thinking skills excel in their studies and have major achievements in various fields. Kids + logic = more life victories ahead! 

Join now and help your child develop their logical thinking skills today!