Critical thinking and creativity can absolutely be taught to our learners in early childhood. It takes persistance-they may not get it the first time. But if you are consistent in challenging your kiddos you will see the growth in their application of these skills.
One of my favorite concepts from Kaplan's Depth and Complexity is Ethics. Judging what is right and wrong. This can be achieved with stories:
Was it right for the Gingerbread to run away from the little old couple?
Was what the boy did right? What the tree did?
Of course we can look at David and say what he did was wrong but was his mom right in her response?
Was it right for the letters to go back up the tree again at the end?
Ethical arguments: I would also include an activity to discuss a question as part of my ELA warmup-it's oral language skills right?
So every day I gave them a question? Is it right to pick up a dollar you found on the sidewalk? What about if you saw who dropped it? Is it right to have rules at school? I teach them how to listen to their partner and then form an argument as a response.
What I want to impart in my students is there is usually a grey area. I am reminded of Les Miserables when he is arrested for stealing a loaf of bread. It is wrong to steal of course, but ther eare situations where people may see the grey area.
My favorite thing is to watch them grow into good arguers (although their parents probably do not appreciate that. :)
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