Elevating Critical Thinking for the Next Generation: Tips from the Wooden Fellows in an AI-Driven World

When was the last time you paused long enough to listen to your own perspective?

The wooden Fellows and I love spending time together. They allow me to pause, stay connected to my inner child, be creative, and step away, for a moment, from our fast-paced society. But sometimes, of course, reality comes back in.

The societal push to use artificial intelligence (AI) to become more efficient or to keep up with the pace of some on social media can truly make me wonder: where are we heading if we stop seeing the benefit of slowing down?

Slowing down allows me to create and recharge, but most importantly, it also enables me to think critically. What should I do next? Where does this come from? How can I stay true to myself?

Hence, today, in a world filled with social media, screens, and busyness, the wooden Fellows and I would like to engage you in the following conversation:

How can we ensure that critical thinking does not become a thing of the past? How can we enhance the critical thinking skills of younger generations?

As you may have realized by now, the Petit Refuge is a safe place to reflect, to create, to imagine, often with no right or wrong answer. So please, feel free to add your thoughts in the comment section. We, all together, can make the world a better place for the next generation : )

How to define critical thinking?

Let’s start with a brief definition. At its core, critical thinking is the ability to analyze information fully, digest it critically, with pros and cons, and reflect on its content instead of passively absorbing it.

Whether a new piece of information comes from a book, the news, social media, family, friends, or a neighbor, one should take the extra step and think: What should I do with this ?

Why is strengthening critical thinking more important now than ever?

Developing critical thinking in young children is by no mean a new focus; it does seem to become more and more crucial nowadays, though.

1. Because of our fast-paced lives, we often cannot fully process information as it comes. It slips somewhere and works behind the scenes, slowly shifting our beliefs and what we accept as “truth.” Indeed, a headline seen on our phone while waiting in line can sneakily shape an opinion without investigation.
2. In addition, the arrival of AI is accelerating the way we consume and produce information, leaving even less room for independent reasoning. We no longer have to make the effort of searching 2-3 websites; we automatically receive a summary compiled by AI, whether we want it or not. AI shortcuts our search process instead of letting us explore the original sources.
3. Social media algorithms tend to feed us more of what we already believe (so we stay on longer), closing us off from other perspectives. That can lead to false or misleading claims spreading faster than truth. A catchy claim can go viral before anyone has time to check it.

In short, without strong critical thinking, we can all too easy be swept along by the current instead of steering our own way.

Now, as a GenX pursuing research daily, I have had some time  over the years to strengthen my critical thinking skills. Yet, I still surprise myself with how quickly I can lose some habits when I lean on tools like ChatGPT.

Growing up with screens and AI entering the classroom, how will Generation Alpha acquire those skills? Before even considering ways to strengthen their critical thinking, we must first ensure they are simply exposed to it.

How to expose young children to critical thinking daily?

The good news is that the busy life of young children brings plenty of opportunities to pause and raise questions.

The wooden Fellows and I have come up with a list of suggestions, but as always, we welcome any additions you may have.

Process new information out loud.

One thing that is becoming increasingly common, especially on social media, is a lack of precision. Ideas get shortened, opening the door to broad generalizations.
When exposed to a statement like “In France, children eat broccoli!”, you may want to add on: “I’m curious which study that refers to, what ages it covers, and how the question was asked.”

In addition, broad statements sometimes come with “Research says” or include a percentage. You can raise simple questions: “Which research? 30% of what? Which group?”

Of course, with young children, you are not going to bounce back and forth with arguments, but you would be surprised by how much they are going to naturally endorse such practice of being thoughtful when presented with information.

Model how to stay curious.

Keep asking “why?” and “what if?”, and model the answer-seeking process.

Questions about dinosaurs? Check a library book together or watch a short documentary.

Questions about the fall season? Head outside and look closely. Curiosity grows when we refrain from rushing to give answers.

Model that curiosity comes with ups and downs. Try a new hobby together – drawing, cooking, or learning a few words in a new language – and model that exploring is more valued than perfection. It is okay to fail. Maybe pick a question once a week, and spend time researching or experimenting together.

Step into someone else’s shoes.

Seeking conversations with people who hold different views or challenge our ideas, rather than only confirming them, can help children see the benefits of broadening their perspectives. Respectful disagreement can be an opportunity to grow.

Reading the feed or writings of someone with a different perspective can be surprisingly eye-opening.

How might this story sound if told by someone in another country? How might your friend feel if they heard this news?

These little exercises encourage empathy and new perspectives.

Model how not to rely on only one source of information.

Model how to cross-check what you hear. If you read a claim online, look for it in another type of source such as a reputable news site, or a book.

For children, you can make this a game, and see how different sources may talk about the same dinosaur. Compare a book with a YouTube video and discuss what is missing in each. You could even use three different AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot to compare answers. AI can be powerful, but it still makes errors!

Slow down.

Maybe the most important, yet most difficult to pursue, is modeling how to slow down. Before reacting or sharing, take a pause to reflect. This can be as simple as counting to ten or waiting until tomorrow before responding to a message or reposting a headline. Slowing down creates space for better thinking and for emotions to settle, allowing reasoning to emerge.

With children, you can model by narrating your thought process: “I’m going to wait before I answer this email; I want to think about it first.” Encourage them to say, “I need to think about it,” rather than rushing to a decision. You can even create small rituals, such as a five-minute walk or a deep breath before leaving the house. These pauses are not wasted time; they set up space for thoughtful choices later on.

To conclude

Critical thinking involves being thoughtful, intentional, and open-minded. In a world that pushes us to move faster and faster, slowing down to think deeply may be the most radical and necessary act for the young generation. And if we ever forget, the wooden Fellows will be there, tapping gently on our shoulder, inviting us to pause and wonder : )

What else would you add to the list? As always, we would love to hear from you!