#  >> K-12 >> Kindergarten

Resources for Higher-Order Thinking Skills in Kindergarten

At the time of publication, the National Association for Gifted Children estimates that there are about 3 million gifted children in the United States, or about 6 percent of the elementary school population. Tight budgets and staffing cuts mean that these gifted children, especially at early ages, may not be able to receive the proper attention. However, there are resources available to parents and teachers to help challenge and nurture the higher-thinking of gifted kindergarten students.
  1. Math Problems

    • Mathwire has word and number problems for a variety of ages.

      In the U.S. public school system, math is not taught intensely until the first grade. For gifted children who may have an aptitude for math at an earlier age, mathwire.com provides a host of math problems of many different varieties to help expand a child's horizons. Math problems are organized by type and by age group. After passing through a certain level, parents and teachers have access to math suited for older age groups, so the child does not have to wait to receive this knowledge.

    Waterford Early Learning

    • Waterford helps children think critically about a variety of subjects.

      An individualized approach to education helps each child learn at their level and scale. Waterford Early Learning (waterfordearlylearning.org) embodies this technique, with a series of online and computer exercises that will teach children to think critically, whatever their competency level. Waterford has exercises in science, reading and math. The programs are available for school systems and classrooms and cost is provided upon order.

    Information on Developing Metacognition

    • Helping children reflect on their thoughts will develop metacognition, Fisher said.

      Robert Fisher provides parents and educators valuable information about how to instill critical thinking skills in kindergarteners. On his site, teachingthinking.net, Fisher said that higher thinking, or metacognition, should encourage children to think about "how, what or why" they feel certain things about what they are learning. A simple step to begin, he said, is to ask children what they're thinking and why, at various points in the day.

    Good Morning Children

    • Good Morning Children provides "brain stretches" for morning activities.

      Good Morning Children (goodmorningchildren.com), based in the United Kingdom, provides "white board" resources for teachers to use in the classroom, beginning in kindergarten. The resources are designed to foster creative thinking skills, pushing young minds in new and exciting directions. The service is provided as a membership that is based on location and age level.

Learnify Hub © www.0685.com All Rights Reserved