Beyond Belief: Raising a Skeptical Kid (in the Misinformation Age) by Ronald Crouch

Ronald Crouch reflects on the challenge of teaching his young son critical thinking in an era saturated with misinformation. He shares insights from research, debunking the common belief that young children are incapable of critical thinking, showing that even toddlers display early signs of skepticism and scientific reasoning. Crouch suggests practical activities for parents to nurture critical thinking in children, such as using play to model skepticism, discussing paranormal claims, conducting simple pseudoscience experiments, and reading books that encourage inquiry. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2024/12/beyond-belief-raising-a-skeptical-kid-in-the-misinformation-age/ About the Author: Ronald Crouch, PhD, is a psychologist, former meditation teacher, and author. He has published research in peer-reviewed academic journals, written therapy workbooks for children, and is the author of the Beyond Belief book series, which teaches children critical thinking skills with fun paranormal mysteries. He writes online under the name “Dr. Dad.” His website is www.raisingaskepticalkid.com. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/ Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition is a production of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and the Center for Inquiry.