The concept of critical thinking is defined as “an analytical process that can help you think through a problem in an organised and efficient manner” (Barbara, A. P.). While it is normal to assume our kids will eventually acquire critical thinking skills, I've never actually thought about when that should happen, until I realised it had already manifested itself in En and Xuan over the past few weeks.
I used to give them excuses for not fulfilling their requests, and they never question why, though I sometimes get that "question mark" look on their faces. Then I realised one morning that my munchkins had "grown" without me noticing again. And what triggered that revelation was this.
We were at the mall around 10am on New Year's Day. Most of the shops were not opened yet, so when En asked if she could go for a kiddy ride, I conveniently answered "The shops are not opened yet, darling." Now, she knew exactly where the kiddy rides are located within the mall even though there wasn't a single one in sight. And I didn't quite like the idea of kiddy rides because they are costly. For the benefit of my overseas friends, a single ride could cost up to $2 at times!!! And you know kids don't normally stop at one ride (alright, alright... they're not so bad. They do stop at one sometimes when I tell them I only have one coin in my purse). She kept quiet for a few seconds, then she said "But the kiddy rides are not inside the shops!" I was speechless, and yes, I told her right in her face "I am speechless!" before we proceed to catch a few rides.
Last weekend, the girls were at their grandparents' place. While toss and turning at nap time, En asked YaYa "When I wake up, we will go to Orchard Road lah?" You see, "lah" is a local expression which the childcare centre is trying their best to educate the kids not to include in their English conversation. So Xuan turned and said to En "Teacher XXXX said not to use the word 'lah'." En quickly answered her sister " We can use 'lah' only when there's Xuan, En and YaYa. When mommy and papa is around, we cannot use 'lah'." I mean, what was she thinking???!!!
Well, if that is the start of the munchkins' critical thinking skills development, I guess I am in trouble. Have to start brushing up on my critical thinking skills to come up with a new list of excuses to counteract theirs. Kekekeke... Just kidding! I'm looking at my girls in a whole new perspective and I just want to tell them "Come on! Surprise me!!!
