Blog 2, Should Reasoning Skills Be Taught in Primary School? Yes!

In past generations, the field of childhood education did not prompt many questions. The majority of children were educated in the accepted social institution of the public school system, where they were taught the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic. This more simplistic approach to the educating children began to evolve in past decades, in response to technological and cultural changes occurring within society. Among today’s numerous alternative education options, there is great debate concerning the expansion of basic primary school curriculums and what direction such expansion should take. One possible addition to primary is the teaching of reasoning skills to students beginning at a younger age.

Reasoning skills are valuable resources to foster at an early age for many reasons. This writing will focus on two such reasons:  Because reasoning skills will help students achieve in future levels of school and because reasoning skills are implemented throughout one’s lifetime. There are many different reasoning skills which children should fully develop, such as mental storage and retrieval, being able to categorize items and evaluate value, to name a few. Link 1 When a child acquires these skills, they have developed a tool which they will continue to use as they advance in their education. Memory and logic skills are always relevant to any student of any age. The teaching of reasoning skills to children is a powerful way to form continuous connections through an individual’s complete education, from primary school to college and beyond.

One of the prominent goals of education is to prepare children to become successful adults. In the years that follow the completion of one’s formal education, facts and processes learned in school often become unneeded and forgotten. However, reasoning skills endure as resources implemented daily. To be successful in any career, reasoning skills such as problem solving are essential. Displaying strength in these skills helps the adult to overcome both professional and personal challenges throughout life.

Each individual parent has their own ideas and viewpoint concerning their child’s education. Some may favor a curriculum strong in mathematics and science, while others place value on language or the arts. However, reasoning skills can transcend class subjects and are necessary for success in any field.Link 2 Reasoning skills can be implemented in countless ways, from basic daily problems to complex intellectual challenges. Reasoning skills are a strong foundation for creating not only efficient students, but critically thinking, successful members of society.