The Importance of Changing Our Minds

Oh, what a world we live in right now, and what a world in which we’re raising our little thinkers. If it seems like nothing is stable and consistent, like the world is full of unexpected surprises, that’s because that’s the way things are at the moment. Add to that the fact that kids are bombarded with more information and opinions that most adults can handle, and you have a very challenging era in which to be young.

As parents, we may not have control over the circumstances in which our kids grow and learn.  However, there’s a skill that helps in this situation, something that allows thinkers of any age to navigate, to adapt, maybe even thrive. When faced with change, especially rapid and sudden change, our kids need to know how (and when) to change their minds.

Change for the sake of change isn’t what we should be aiming for. It shouldn’t happen to suit others. What our parents told us about resisting peer pressure still stands. Our minds shouldn’t change as a knee-jerk reaction to something we see in the media, and there’s plenty of that to go around. Change shouldn’t just happen in response to things new and novel.

Changing our minds is about being open to new ideas or ways of doing things. It’s being curious and flexible enough to give new ideas a chance, while still being critical and skeptical before accepting and adopting them. Changing our minds involves being nimble, adaptable, and willing to see and evaluate all kinds of possibilities. It’s knowing when it’s justified to hold onto something, and when it’s necessary to let go of it.

Here are some questions to encourage in your little thinker:

·      Why do we think about something in this or that way?

·      What things make it hard to change our minds?

·      What would happen if we tried out a new idea? Would it make things easier?

·      How do we change our ideas about other people? What do we need to find out about them?

·      How often should we change our minds? How do we know when it’s time?

·      Can we change other people’s minds too? Should we try?  

Teaching a child to change their mind may seem like a done deal. Don’t they change their minds from moment to moment? Isn’t that a big part of being young? Yes to both, but helping them learn when and how to do it, encouraging them to change their minds with intention and care, can set a tone for the rest of their lives. It can help to ensure that they won’t get stuck in their thinking, that they’ll maintain open, curious minds as they get older.