Why Thinking Skills?

The Thinking Skills programme is in its fifth year of implementation in state schools. Several schools have been visited so far, aiming "to arouse curiosity and stimulate critical and creative thinking among children". The curriculum supports Thinking Skills as it "is intended to develop citizens who are independent, creative and critical thinkers".

As Thinking Skills teachers we help students learn how to ask questions, investigate systematically and exchange ideas with peers. Indeed, our Thinking Skills Programmes are very appealing to students as they help them learn how to work collaboratively and independently in thinking. Thinking Skills is a tool for life as it helps them to solve everyday problems in a more efficient and effective way.

We use group work in our lessons because we believe it "stimulates the students' creative potential so that they can solve problems together and contribute to the production of knowledge".

We want our students to be active learners and not just passive recipients of knowledge, so that they feel empowered over what they are learning.

Moreover, by using Edward de Bono's Thinking Tools we are in a good position to acknowledge "the full range of educational interests, potentials and needs of students".

This is so because every student's input given during our lessons is valued and appreciated. Thus, children's self-esteem is enhanced as they feel successful at being great thinkers!

* All quotes are taken from the National Minimum Curriculum, published by the Ministry of Education, Malta, 1999.