Parents shape their children's scientific thinking - that's how it works!

Parents shape their children's scientific thinking - that's how it works!

A groundbreaking study by the University of Vechta reveals that parents have a much greater influence on the scientific thinking of their children than previously assumed. Research shows that six -year -olds begin to think scientifically when their parents actively show this. "The answers of the parents to everyday questions significantly shape the thinking of the children," explains the study author Christopher Osterhaus.

The investigation accompanied children between the ages of six and ten and revealed significant differences in scientific thinking, which are directly due to the epistemic beliefs of the parents. Osterhaus categorized these beliefs in three types: absolutist, multiplistical and evaluativist. Children whose parents are considered evaluativists - that is, that knowledge develops with new knowledge - show a better ability to experiment and critical thinking.

parents as the key to critical thinking

In order to promote the intelligence of their children, parents should convey that knowledge is not determined. "In schools, knowledge is often presented as a fact that is not the case in science," says Osterhaus. Parents are required to ask their children again and again about the "why" to promote their critical thinking. A simple example could be to discuss at breakfast whether cocoa dissolves better in warm or cold milk. Such everyday questions offer excellent opportunities to encourage children to research and experiment.

The study clearly shows that the more parents encourage their children to think and question independently, the better their scientific skills develop. A call to all parents: are the researchers who need your children!