What Research Says About Critical Thinking in Children

Quick answer

Critical thinking — weighing evidence, considering alternatives and reasoning towards a decision — can be taught to some degree. A large meta-analysis of instructional studies found a modest positive average effect (about g = 0.30). Approaches that combined discussion, authentic or real-life problems and mentoring were associated with stronger effects. The studies span many educational levels, so they are not specific to children aged 8–14. Parents can reasonably encourage discussion of real choices and reasons, without assuming a single course will make a child a critical thinker.

What critical thinking means in research terms

Researchers describe critical thinking as both skills (analysing, evaluating evidence, inferring) and dispositions (a willingness to question and consider other views). CASEL's “responsible decision-making” and UNICEF's critical thinking and problem-solving skills cover everyday versions.

What researchers have studied

What researchers studied

Abrami et al. (2015) analysed 341 effect sizes from studies testing strategies for teaching critical thinking, across educational levels and subjects.

What they found

The average effect was modest (g ≈ 0.30). Dialogue, exposure to authentic or situated problems and examples, and mentoring were associated with stronger effects, especially in combination.

What parents can reasonably conclude

Talking through real problems and explaining reasons is a reasonable way to exercise critical thinking.

What cannot be concluded

The findings do not show that these results apply equally to 8–14-year-olds in India, or that critical-thinking teaching raises exam scores.

What higher-quality evidence suggests

This is a large, well-cited meta-analysis. It supports how to teach (discussion, real problems, guidance) more than it supports any particular product.

What the research does not prove

• It does not prove that critical-thinking lessons make children smarter overall.
• University-level findings cannot be applied directly to younger children.
• It does not show that LeadXkids courses improve critical thinking.

Practical implications for children aged 8–14

• Discuss real decisions: “What are two options? What might happen with each?”
• Ask “How do you know?” about news, ads or rumours.
• Let children disagree respectfully and give reasons.
• Model changing your mind when you get better evidence.

How LeadXkids approaches critical thinking

In LeadXkids decision-making lessons, characters face choices such as peer pressure or a tricky plan. Children compare options, predict consequences and reflect on reasons. This describes how the product is designed. The studies on this page did not evaluate LeadXkids, and they do not show that LeadXkids courses produce these outcomes.