Episode 17: Teaching Kids to Think - the Power of Critical Inquiry

In this episode of Dreams of Education, Kelly and Michelle dive into the essential skill of critical thinking—why it’s vital for kids and how traditional school structures often fail to cultivate it. They share personal stories of standout teachers who nurtured deep thinking and explore how inquiry-based learning fosters curiosity, cognitive dissonance, and better questioning. From childhood experiences with history class to guiding students through logical fallacies and media literacy, they unpack how critical thinking isn’t just an academic skill but a foundational mindset for life. Tune in to discover how we can create learning environments that empower kids to think, question, and engage meaningfully with the world around them.

 

Check out the Logical Fallacies work we mention here. 

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Michelle Baldwin: Avenue 4 Learning, @michellekbaldwin.bsky.social

Kelly Tenkely: Dreams of Education Blog, KT's Place, @ktenkely.bsky.social