Can we teach children how to think?

Bravo! In elementary school I had a teacher that spent a great deal of time teaching the class to LISTEN rather than just hear. Another important aspect to learning is analytical thought and the best way to teach that is through mathematics (ok, now I can hear even one saying, "oh geez, what a geek!" ... I can feel your eyes rolling out there). It is true though, math (and algebra in particular) teaches step by step problem solving skills. Another good way to teach is through computer programming, the computer "knows" nothing when you turn it on. It has to be shown step by step how to accept and process input, children writing programs are not only learning how to think more clearly, they're learning how to teach, as well. Studies have also shown that music increases brain activity and it can be fun but not if it's done in a rigid manner.

I think we can raise our children to be good thinkers and important thinkers. Telling them what to think should be limitted to what they're learning from texts, projects and experiences. Otherwise, parents are just pushing their own agendas on to their children and that's not good for anyone. My children (ages five, six and seven) love to learn and love to have the freedom to express what they've learned actively and openly.