Your kids need to learn how to THINK.

The first time I even thought about the importance of thinking was when I took Algebra and came home complaining to my dad about how hard it was and that I didn’t understand why I needed to learn it because, when was I ever going to use it?

I’ll never forget what he said. “Well, you may or may not ever use algebra later in life, but at the very least, learning algebra is teaching you how to think.”

I remember repearing those same words to my kids when they encountered similar challenges. Today, they are smart-thinking adults and I’m glad that thinking was something they learned growing up.

However, I fear that in today’s world of AI and other internet and online aids, our kids are being robbed of opportunities to develop their thinking skills. Tools like Chat GPT are going to make us all lazy if we let them. And this is so very tempting to kids who don’t want to put in the work or are looking for the quick and easy way to get work done.

Chat GPT is not the bad guy. It’s a tool that can be used on ocassion when we are seeking information. But it should not be you or your child’s automatic go-to when you are trying to put words together or solve a problem without really thinking through the solutions.

If you’re not raising thinkers, you’re raising kids who give up easily because they don’t have the patience to find and think through solutions. You’re raising kids who depend on others to do the thinking for them and you’re raising children who don’t know how to create something new because someone or something else has already done the creating for them.

If you are determined to fight the tide of AI domination in the life of your kids, here are some ways to push back:

Start early getting them interested in reading. Simple books when they are little and keep reading to them and with them as they grow up. Make sure they are friends with the local library. If they don’t seem interested in reading, then make it a point to find books that DO interest them. When my son was young, he was only interested in sports. So we had to find books that were related to sports. At one point, I got him a subscription to Sports Illustrated for Kids.

Play games with them that make them think. Play strategy games, spelling games, number games–any game that forces them to use their brains.

Give them ways to create. Whether it’s building something, painting, or making crafts, find ways to let them learn to express their creativity and use their imaginations.

Let them play on their own (without screens). Even little ones can learn to play on their own without Mom or Dad constantly playing with them. I used to love watching my son line up all his trucks on the living room floor or my daughter play dress-up with her siblings. Resist the urge to jump in with suggestions. Let them follow their imaginations on their own, without help from you.

Let them be bored. When kids are bored, and when you do not step in to alleviate their boredom, you may be amazed at what they find to do. When they come to you, saying, “I’m bored,” you can suggest that if they don’t find something to do, you will find some work or chores for them to do. It’s amazing how quickly they will come up with their own plans of how to fill their time.

Let them learn to solve their own problems. Whether it’s how to get more playing time in their sport or how to resolve a friend conflict or how to organize their room, stop yourself from jumping in to offer your solutions. Don’t go to their coach for them or talk to their friend’s parents to try to resolve a friend conflict. Don’t tell them how to organize their room; only offer suggestions if they ask. But even when kids come to you and ask for help, don’t give them a quick and easy answer. Ask questions that help them think through the problem to come up with their own solutions.

Teach responsible AI use. As I said, AI is a tool, but it can be used irresponsibly. If your kids are getting into it, talk about how it can be used for good and for bad. Talk about how it can cheat them from learning and growing and how it can become a crutch that will keep them from strong thinking. Work with them on figuring how how to use it as a tool and not as the default for every learning situation.

“Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it.” That anonymous quote explains why so many today are letting AI or even others do the thinking for them. Parents, resist the temptation to give in and let your kids do things the easy way. Encourage them to THINK and you will raise them to be adults who are strong-thinking influencers in their world.

This article was written solely from my brain, with no help from Chat GPT :)