How do we prepare our children to think critically in an age of overwhelming information, bias, and quick judgments?

In today’s Brave Writer podcast episode with special guest Sharon McMahon, we explore how true critical thinking requires a tolerance for discomfort and a commitment to understanding perspectives beyond our own.

We reflect on lessons from history, including unsung heroes like Harriet Tubman and Anna Thomas Jeanes, and emphasize the importance of presenting children with varied viewpoints rather than indoctrinating them with a single narrative. We also discuss strategies for fostering resilience, optimism, and humility as we engage thoughtfully with the world around us.

Join us for a conversation full of hope, encouragement, and practical ideas for raising critical thinkers in a complicated world. Listen to the full episode for a deeper dive!

Show Notes

We often hear the phrase “critical thinking,” but practicing it means more than simply disagreeing with ideas we don’t like. True critical thinking requires a tolerance for discomfort. It asks us to sit with viewpoints we may instinctively resist, to probe them for internal logic, and to understand what values they express. When we rush to judgment, we short-circuit the very skills we hope to foster. Instead, we must model and encourage curiosity, patience, and the willingness to question even our most deeply held beliefs.

Exposing Children to Varied Perspectives

One way we can cultivate these skills is by exposing our children to a variety of perspectives—not only those that confirm our worldview. It is tempting, especially as homeschooling parents, to pass along only what we personally hold dear. But if our goal is to raise independent thinkers, we must be willing to provide them with information they can evaluate for themselves. Critical thinking grows through practice, not indoctrination.

Learning from History’s Heroes

History offers powerful lessons here. We reflected on the work of individuals like Harriet Tubman and Anna Thomas Jeanes—figures who, despite immense obstacles, chose to act with courage and conviction. Their lives remind us that external circumstances, no matter how daunting, do not define our capacity for impact. Rather than waiting for a perfect moment, they did what they could, where they were, with the resources available to them. This model of action serves not only as inspiration but also as a blueprint for how we can engage with our own uncertain times.

Finding Optimism in Uncertain Times

It is easy to feel overwhelmed when facing the complexities of today’s world. Trust in institutions has eroded. Algorithms funnel us into narrow echo chambers. Disagreements within families and communities can feel impossibly wide. Yet optimism is still available to us. We can reclaim it by shifting our focus away from “winning” debates and toward nurturing relationships, sustaining open dialogue, and upholding shared values like the rule of law.

Fostering Understanding Through Curiosity

Even when disagreements arise, we are called to ask ourselves: What beautiful outcome does the other person’s vision seek? This question helps us move beyond caricatures and into genuine understanding, even when agreement remains elusive. Our children benefit when they see us practicing this kind of humility and resilience.

Preparing Children to Engage Thoughtfully

The work of raising critical thinkers is not about creating perfect citizens or perfect circumstances. It is about inviting our children to engage thoughtfully with the world as it is, to question, to listen, and to act with integrity. In doing so, we prepare them not only to navigate a complicated world but to contribute to its healing and betterment.

Resources

• Sharon’s website: sharonmcmahon.com
• Connect with Sharon on Instagram: @sharonsaysso
• Read The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon
• Sharon’s podcast: Here’s Where It Gets Interesting
• Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing!
• Check out Julie’s new author website: juliebogartwriter.com
• Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters: Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic
• Try out our Brave Writer Practice Pages
• Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
• Read all Brave Writer class descriptions
• Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
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Connect with Julie

• Instagram: @juliebravewriter
• Threads: @juliebravewriter
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Connect with Melissa

• Website: melissawiley.com
• Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
• Instagram: @melissawileybooks
• Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social

Produced by NOVA