Why Your Child Should Learn Logic

by: PhyllisWheeler
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Sherlock Holmes and Mr. Spock are the logical guys. The other people in their stories are the emotional ones. But our lives aren't really like that--we need to be both the logical guy and the emotional guy.

Unfortunately, learning logical thinking doesn't just come naturally for most people. But it's an important skill. Logic traps are everywhere.

Instead of just going with the flow, you can be proactive and teach logic to your child. In the process, you may get some practice at it too. Here's why:

1. Your child will be able to make better choices, understanding the principle of cause and effect. For instance, any "friends" who push him to waste money and time may find he turns a deaf ear, because he understands the logical consequences.

2. Problem-solving will be something your child can do as he grows older. Faced with any problem, such as dealing with a plugged-up sink or a broken-down car, your child will be able to list options and pick one.

3. Your child will be better prepared to challenge advertising. He will be able to identify fallacies such as circular reasoning. For example, an advertiser might tell us, "Happy folks buy Toastie Puffs." What he means is, "Buy Toastie Puffs, and you'll be happy!" This is circular logic! Can your child recognize it?

4. Your child will be able to evaluate generalizations made in the media. Perhaps he sees a reporter interviewing five people about illegal immigration. All five think illegal immigrants should be given amnesty. Then the reporter announces that everyone thinks illegal immigrants should get amnesty. But that's another logic error--generalizing from too small a sample group. Does your child see this error?

5. Your child can learn to evaluate advice on the basis of the qualifications of the person doing the advising. If your dentist tells you to floss your teeth, you will believe him -- he's an expert. But if he tells you to put an oil additive in your car, you need to weigh the advice because he's not an expert there.

6. Your child will be able to understand computer logic as well. Computers think simply: if A is true, do B; if not, do C. Our own brains aren't so linear. But learning to think in a linear manner like this will help a child learn logical thinking, a useful skill in the Information Age. In fact, a child who learns about computers can master computers eventually.

About the Author

Investigate computer programming for children and teens and get a free e-book on Web searching, the Internet Scavenger Hunt. Phyllis Wheeler provides curriculums for parents who want to instruct their children and teens fun computer skills.  

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