It’s surprising but the skill of thinking logically to solve problems or to make good decisions is rarely taught in schools. Yet what skills could be more important?

In adult life we think about and make decisions in our head, but a child must see this to fully understand and copy the process. Ensure you talk through any problems and then solve them aloud.

Frequently use phrases like ‘Suppose we try that?’ or ‘What if we did this?’ Visit museums and speculate what life would be like without the engine or cars or light. Discuss inventors and their inventions and consider abstract ideas like ‘What do animals think about’. Let her think things out for herself and help her with the answer when she asks. Encourage questioning and let her see other points of view.

Children see themselves as the centre of their world so encourage thinking about others and their situations. Thinking is a life skill that can be developed.