By changing choices and trends, literature is considered much more than entertainment—it is a powerful tool for shaping how children think, question, and understand the world. Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready observes that by reading and discussing literature, children learn to ask questions, make connections, and form their ideas.
Additionally, critical thinking is the ability to think, analyze information, and make reasoned decisions. Literature encourages these habits by presenting characters who face problems, make choices, and learn lessons. As children follow these stories, they begin to understand cause and effect, fairness, and the idea that there may be more than one way to look at a situation.
Connecting Feelings and Ideas
Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready understands the reality that literature also nurtures emotional intelligence, which plays a key role in critical thinking. When children read about characters who feel scared, happy, frustrated, or proud, they learn to identify emotions and consider different perspectives. They ask themselves, “How would I feel in that situation?” and “Was that a fair decision?” This blend of emotional awareness and logical thinking helps children become more thoughtful and compassionate problem-solvers.
Problem-Solving Through Stories
Every story contains a challenge, a conflict, or a mystery. Whether it’s a lost toy, a misunderstood friend, or a magical quest, literature gives children a safe space to explore problem-solving. They learn that problems can have more than one solution and that thinking through options is part of making good decisions. Kinder Ready Tutoring encourages early seeds of critical thinking—examining choices, weighing consequences, and learning from outcomes. Stories provide examples children can relate to and remember.
Literature in the KinderReady Classroom
At Kinder Ready, Elizabeth Fraley’s approach to literature goes beyond reading aloud. By following her strategies, educators encourage children to discuss what they hear, retell stories in their own words, act out scenes, and even change the endings. These activities help children explore different viewpoints and strengthen their reasoning skills. We also choose books that introduce meaningful themes—friendship, fairness, courage, honesty—allowing children to think critically about values and choices in a way that feels both personal and engaging.
Thinking Deeply Starts Early
Ultimately, developing critical thinking skills is one of the most valuable gifts we can give young children, and literature is the perfect place to begin. Through stories, children learn to observe closely, ask questions, consider different ideas, and express their own opinions. These early thinking habits lay the foundation for future learning and responsible decision-making. Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready believes that every story is an opportunity to learn to think. And when children learn to think, they are truly ready for the world.
For further details on Kinder Ready’s programs, visit their website: https://www.kinderready.com/.
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ElizabethFraleyKinderReady
