Parents shape intelligence: This is how their child becomes a researcher!

Parents shape intelligence: This is how their child becomes a researcher!

A new study from the University of Vechta has shown that parents have a greater influence on their children's scientific thinking than previously thought. The study, which followed children aged six to ten throughout their entire primary school years, found that children are naturally curious and ask a lot of questions. Christopher Osterhaus, study author and junior professor of developmental psychology, explained that children begin to think scientifically as early as the age of six if their parents set an example Mercury reported.

The study identified significant differences in children's scientific thinking that can be attributed to parents' epistemic belief systems. These beliefs have been divided into three categories: the absolutist belief system, in which knowledge is considered fixed and unchangeable; the multiplist belief system in which knowledge is viewed as subjective and all opinions as equally valid; and the evaluativist belief system, which views knowledge as provisional and changeable. Children begin as absolutists and develop into multiplicitists in their teens; as adults they can become evaluativists. Children whose parents are evaluativists demonstrate better skills in scientific thinking and experimentation.

Promote critical thinking

Osterhaus emphasized that parents should encourage their children to think critically and question what is often neglected in schools. By asking parents questions like “Why?” you can encourage your children's critical thinking. Simple everyday questions, such as dissolving cocoa in warm or cold milk, can be used to encourage children to experiment and research, supporting the initiative to develop their scientific thinking skills.

The result of this study points to the important role that parents play in the early development of their children's scientific thinking. A better understanding of these relationships could help to further develop educational approaches and promote children's future intellectual development.

– Submitted by West-East media