Human Growth and Development

Critical Thinking Skills

As children grow, they learn to:

●​ Distinguish fact from opinion ●​ Evaluate source credibility (e.g., identifying trustworthy information) ●​ Recognize bias ●​ Identify logical fallacies, such as:

＞ ​ Ad hominem attacks (focusing on the person, not the argument) ＞ ​ Appeals to emotion (using feelings instead of logic to persuade)

These skills help children become more independent and thoughtful decision-makers as they mature.

How Language Influences Thought Processes Social Learning:

●​ Talking with others helps children understand the world and develop problem-solving and creativity. ●​ Language allows children to see different perspectives and think in new ways.

Play and Symbolic Thinking:

●​ Infants explore the world through sensorimotor play (using senses and movement). ●​ In middle childhood, symbolic thinking grows, leading to pretend play, where children:

＞ ​ Create imaginary worlds ＞ ​ Take on different roles ＞ ​ Develop problem-solving, creativity, and storytelling skills

Language and Thought Organization:

●​ Words help children categorize experiences and form mental images of things they have not seen. ●​ Symbolic thinking allows them to: ＞ ​ Talk about the past and future ＞ ​ Understand abstract ideas

Adolescence and Abstract Thinking:

●​ Teens develop abstract thinking, improving creativity and problem-solving. ●​ However, social pressure and self-consciousness can limit creativity. ●​ A supportive environment helps them explore ideas and think independently.

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