Children are not trained to think rationally. Precisely why the earlier they are introduced to it and encouraged to practise it, the better, says Rohan Parikh
Using reason and logic to deduce a belief, conclusion or decision, may seem like a natural ability. But the truth is, children are not trained to think rationally. Precisely why the earlier they are introduced to it and encouraged to practise it, the better. It builds clarity of thought, problem-solving abilities and decision-making power: Crucial skills that go on to improve well-being in all spheres of life as they grow.
Benefits are evident as early as in performance at school.
Numerous studies prove that cognitive skills are more efficient when the mind is trained to think rationally. The cognitive process is an accumulation of thinking, knowing, remembering, judging and problem solving. If rational thinking in the form of reasoning and logic is added to the mix, the result can be based on a rock-solid foundation.
In subjects like Science, Economics, Mathematics and Philosophy, it gives wings to a student’s curious mind, boosting it to go beyond what they study in books and learn in the classroom.
It helps overcome behavioural problems in class.
Classrooms are dynamic spaces. While some students take on learning easily, for a few others it is a struggle, often caused more by psychosocial reasons than a real learning disability. It then falls upon the teacher to control the disruptive behaviour. The learning environment of the class has to be protected like a fragile eco-system. Not just for distracted school kids, but also for the ones who are eager to learn.
Inculcating rational thinking at this stage prepares children for the future. In such cases of disruptive behaviour, instead of the traditional method of reprimanding, the teacher may lay out choices for the student. Each choice is attached to a consequence. The student is introduced to cause and effect, the logical deduction method. Responsibility for their actions lies with them. Once a child has walked this path in the thought process, they are armed for life with rational thinking to make the right choices for themselves and those around them.
The benefits of rational thinking spill over to life itself.
Did you know that the most prolific minds in human history like Thomas Edison, Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton, were endowed with rational thinking that honed their intelligence?
Rational thinking makes children cognizant of the consequences of each action. This logical deduction makes one take the right path in life. The child grows up with a strong moral compass. Performance in school shoots up as the child is able to relate learning with knowledge, a lifelong asset. It prepares the student to look beyond the traditional problem solving methods to hunt for the right approach.
It builds enduring bonds between students and teachers.
Rational thinking opens minds. Even as teachers look forward to connecting with each student individually, they understand how the child’s mind works. These interactions go beyond academic progress and text book learning. The student has an adult looking out for them in the school environment, senses support, trust, security, and a two-way channel for communication. This teacher-student bond develops mutual respect, and fosters emotional well-being.
Strong teacher student bonds based on rational thinking sets the ground for healthy relationships. Students imbibe this experience as the foundation for long-term connections.
“People don’t think like scientists; they think like lawyers,” concludes Peter Ditto, a psychologist who studies decision-making at the University of California, Irvine. In numerous ways, rational thinking is the steady way to build scientific thinking for prudent decision-making, complementing the natural gifts of a child.
(The writer is the Managing Director of The Green Acres Academy, an educational institution.)