Sometimes in your life, you stumble across an act of genius. Sometimes, that genius takes place in your home.

Like with most great stories, what I am about to share today starts with a challenge, an obstacle, a problem to be solved. My mother-in-law had a 'hankering' for some white chocolate-covered pretzels.

Hillbilly Definition #1
Hankering (noun) - a strong desire

When there is a problem, you should always know who to go to for help and advice. My mother-in-law knew precisely who to contact - my second-oldest daughter. For the rest of this story, I will call her Sunshine.

Sunshine has a remarkable knack for doing anything kinesthetic. She has excellent control over her motions and movements. She makes many things look easy, including arts, sports, and decorative cooking.

Hillbilly Definition #2
knack (noun) - a skill or an ability to do something easily and well
 

White Chocolate - Covered Pretzels

Like I said, my mother-in-law was craving white chocolate-covered pretzels. She wanted that perfect blend of salty and sweet. And she knew exactly who to ask for help from.

On this particular day, Sunshine's culinary studio was the dining room table. Sprawled across the table was a baking sheet, a bag of pretzels, and a big ol' bowl holding that delicious white chocolate.

Growing up, my Mama would make white chocolate-covered pretzels. I was even invited (aka told) to help out occasionally. Dipping the pretzels is not for the weak heart or mind. The challenge was always to be fast enough so the chocolate would not harden again but go slow enough to ensure more chocolate was on the pretzels than on the baking sheet.

This sounds simple, but trust me, it is not! One might think that you can just use your fingers. That would be a rookie mistake. Burnt fingers and only partially covered pretzels are frowned upon.

So, for most of my life, I have watched many people, myself included, fumble around trying to use a fork or two to dip the pretzels into the chocolate. I am metaphorically slamming my head against the wall just thinking about it.

I really did feel sorry for Sunshine. Poor child! Sunshine is so humble. She serves with a smile. She is the first to offer a helping hand, and she always knows how to step in to help, even when she has not been asked. I believed in her, but I did feel sorry.

I left my bedroom (aka my home office) and headed towards the kitchen to refill my water. Lo and behold, Sunshine was smiling. What a big and beautiful smile!

But wait! I did not see any forks. THERE WERE NO FORKS! What kind of madness was going on in my home? White chocolate-covered pretzels and no forks!?

The Art of Critical Thinking

Never in a million years could I have envisioned what happened next.

When faced with a problem, you must be free to ask questions about your challenge. Opening yourself to evaluate and re-evaluate is an opportunity to see the challenge in a new light.

For all of my childhood, I had used forks ... Sunshine was holding a pair of chopsticks.

"How did you come up with that idea?" I exclaimed.

With a sweet smile, Sunshine said, "I knew I needed something smaller to grip the pretzels better."
  
Brilliant! Amazing! An act of genius!

Sunshine found the right tool for the right job. She did not place herself in a box and resign herself to how everyone else completed this task in the past. She critically examined the issue and came up with the best possible solution. Chopsticks!

We Must Encourage Critical Thinking

How many times have I stifled my children's critical thinking? How many times as a Dad and as an educator have I pushed my kiddos towards a path that I felt was best even when it might not have been the best path?

I was really, really proud of Sunshine that day. I was not ecstatic about white chocolate-covered pretzels. I was ecstatic about how my daughter looked at the problem and solved it.

Although I am sure I have occasionally not allowed my kiddos to think through a problem, I am glad Sunshine felt she had the freedom to be creative and work outside the box.

This story reminds me to step back a bit and let my kiddos think through a problem first. Although it is easy to step in and fix the issue, my quick involvement only addresses the immediate problem.

But stepping in too quickly does not address the long-term issue. Someday, I will not be there when a problem arises. My kiddos will need to exercise critical thinking on their own. I hope when that day comes, Sunshine and my other children will not say, "Dad never let me learn how to overcome obstacles on my own."

Instead, I hope they all say my wife and I helped them embrace critical thinking. I want to celebrate moments like this because I have complete confidence that what I see today is just a reflection of what is possible.

They tasted great and looked beautiful. All because my daughter knew how to see a problem and develop a creative solution.

And that smile! What a beautiful smile!

Keeping Critical Thinking Simple

The following is not an all-encompassing list of how to think critically, but it is a place to start.

1. Be honest - If you can't be honest about your problem, your abilities, and the resources at your disposal, it will be challenging to be a critical thinker. On the other hand, don't give the problem more credit than it deserves.
2. Create smaller pieces - While a big problem can be overwhelming, smaller chunks are manageable. Your first goal is not the finish line. Your first goal is the next step/obstacle in front of you.
3. Look through another lens - Sometimes, you have to look at the problem, your abilities, and your resources from a different perspective. Seeing something in a different light might help you to find a better solution.
4. Keep it simple - Don't overcomplicate the problem or the solution. Sometimes, you already have access to what you need to address your obstacles.
5. Be creative - Sometimes, you don't have access to what you need in the moment. Don't be afraid to innovate.
6. Never give up - Failure occurs when you stop learning, thinking, and finding solutions to problems.

I Want to Hear From You

1. Has there ever been a time that you overstepped, which prevented your child from exercising critical thinking?
2. How do you encourage your child(ren) to embrace critical thinking?
3. Please share a story so we can celebrate your kiddo also.

Thanks for stopping by!

@SumatraNate