Every day a person is forced to solve various kinds of problems, analyze and compare facts. We rarely think that these skills can be developed and improved. Some believe that it is too late, others allude to a lack of time and effort. Today, the article will discuss how to develop logical thinking in adults and children. But first, let's figure out what this concept is.
What is logical thinking?
To understand what this phenomenon is, it is necessary to pay attention to its components - logic and thinking. Let's consider each separately.
Thinking is a mental process, as a result of which information is processed, links between phenomena, events, and objects are established. Subjectivity, personal attitude to something, to someone very much influences. Logic leads our thinking to objectivity. That is, it is a science of correct, accurate and true thinking. She has her own laws, forms and methods. It relies on experience and knowledge, as well as common sense.
Logical thinking is the process by which we resort to concepts that are based on prudence and evidence. The final result is a reasonable conclusion that was obtained on the basis of specific assumptions.
Scientists distinguish three types of logical reasoning:
- Figuratively logical - the situation is, as it were, lost by imagination, the images of objects or features of phenomena are recalled.
- Abstract - objects, images or connections that are not in reality are involved.
- Verbal form - people share their logical conclusions and conclusions with others. An important role is played by competent speech and a tendency to analysis.
How can logic come in handy in life? What is it for?
The ability to think coherently is necessary for everyone, regardless of the type of activity and occupation.
If you regularly train and develop logical thinking, memory, then this will help:
- Even in unusual situations, make quick, accurate and correct conclusions.
- Correct your mistakes and oversights.
- Adequately calculate strength.
- State your conclusions concisely and clearly.
- Convincing, arguing.
- Blaming evidence.
With developed logical thinking, a person is not afraid of difficulties, he will confidently achieve success in all areas of life, boldly climb the career ladder.
Is it an innate gift or acquired wealth?
The ability to make logical conclusions, as psychologists and other experts say, is a trait that people acquire. No one is born with already formed logic.
Even the most elementary level (figurative-logical) appears in children by the age of one and a half years, this is the time when the kids begin to analyze everything that surrounds them and separate the important from the secondary.
These skills in science are called empirical, that is, they are acquired as a result of experience. But often in life, patterns and stereotypes are added to them, which are implanted by the environment and society as a whole. This is how critical thinking abilities are lost.
Everyone can develop logical thinking at home. How to do it? First of all, you must strive to reach an abstract level. We often talk about non-existent objects, phenomena, but don’t think about the fact that our logic is working hard at this time. Teachers and scientists confirm that experience and training perfectly develop logic, even if a person is very far from multi-level conclusions and thoughts. The main desire.
Is it possible to develop logic in adults?
Of course, it is possible and necessary. The main thing is to defeat laziness. We always have no time, and not everyone agrees to spend their precious time on self-development. But there is nothing complicated, and not much time is wasted if it is organized correctly. Many tasks that develop logical thinking can be performed together with family and friends.
Such collective exercises not only help to develop, but also bring people together emotionally.
How to train the brain?
There are a lot of tricks for this. So, the ways to develop logical thinking in an adult are:
There are a huge number of them, but it is best to start with the simplest ones. You can find them in books on logic. Complexity should be increased gradually, only after making sure that the previous level is not difficult.
In form, tasks that develop logical thinking can range from riddles to complete tasks. Do not rush, you need to think through all possible solutions.
It happens that light levels pass quickly, and then difficulties arise. You need to relax, and there is a solution. You can peek at the very beginning.
In many large companies, this is especially common abroad, candidates are given logical tasks during the interview, and they evaluate both the speed of the solution and the ability to reason the answer. Therefore, it is necessary to work on logic.
- Board games that develop logical thinking.
The very first thing that comes to mind is chess. A game requiring thoughtfulness, judiciousness, leisurely. You can do it anywhere and with anyone. It is better to learn from a stronger opponent, he will be able to show quick and effective combinations.
There are other games, there are whole thematic sets on sale. With their help, you can have a great time with friends, family and children.
There are many such tasks. Some of them come with a countdown, but this should not be confusing. Everyone has a principle - "cause - effect." Assignments sometimes seem difficult, since the answer options are designed in such a way that anyone fits, but only one is correct.
The simplest option in this group of logical tasks is ordinary crosswords, in which it is necessary to fill in all the cells with words, and when they are solved, memory and logic are activated.
Crossword Sudoku is more complicated than verbal. It is necessary to fill in the cells in each 3x3 square (there are 9 of them) with numbers from 1 to 9, but so that they come across once, and the same condition is in the lines and in the columns. Better to start with the simplest.
No less interesting occupation are graphic crosswords. They have a solution in the form of a picture, which will turn out if the cells are hatched correctly (focusing on the indicated numbers).
How to develop logical thinking in children
Recently, children have moved away from live communication into the world of computer games and become addicted to them. It is necessary to introduce the habit of joint family educational games, which will distract them from the virtual world.
With the development of logic in children, one should take into account their age and, depending on it, choose a method:
- For children under 3 years old, clarity and simplicity are important. At this age, the foundations are laid, the child learns to distinguish colors, different things and objects.
- From 3 to 4 years old, verbal-shaped logic is fixed. The best way to develop at this age is to draw with one extra object.
- Before school, it is necessary to perform tasks with numbers, question and speech games with the child. Mathematics and counting are well developed logical thinking.
- After 7 years, all tasks should be directed to improving speech skills, to developing the ability to generalize, analyze. During this period, it is necessary to move on to abstractions.
To make children interested, classes should be conducted in a playful way and take into account their individual interests and inclinations. If it is difficult for the child, the tasks need to be simplified. You can tell him, help draw conclusions, and the most important rule is no notations.
Ways to develop children's logic
Children enjoy spending time with their parents, they love to play and fool around with them. Therefore, you can easily combine classes with the game. In addition, the time spent with the child will strengthen the emotional bond with him and trust. So, the ways of developing children's logic:
Of course, they must be age-appropriate, the child must know what kind of objects or phenomena in question. Focus on imaginative thinking. It is best to play puzzles with children from 2 to 5 years old.
You need to choose them, focusing on age. Soft cubes are best for kids. They collect from them snakes, towers, houses, and thereby their logical apparatus is activated.
"Lego" is suitable for older children, here you already have to assemble the models according to the instructions, correlating the details with the image.
With younger students, you can assemble a model of an airplane or ship. You must buy an entry-level difficulty kit. This activity can not only interest the child, but also have fun with him.
A game with geometric shapes is suitable for kids. It is necessary to invite them to find the same or find the superfluous.
Here you can include the association, showing the figure, reflect with the child on the topic: "What can she remind."
Speech games are also very important, especially comparative ones: “it’s hot in summer, it’s cold in winter”, etc.
Older children can be shown a game of chess or checkers, and in the evening play "tic-tac-toe."
They lay the basics of thinking. There are various options, from small ones with a large number of elements to large ones created especially for babies. There are a lot of sets of various subjects: sports, alphabet, professions, animals, natural phenomena and so on.
Puzzles are suitable for children from 5 years. It is best to collect them as a family. The child learns not only to analyze, but also painstakingly select the desired picture element.
Logic as a tool of evil
Few people love a person who lives by logic. Why?
Logic and cold calculation leave no room for the kindness, mercy, self-sacrifice, love, on which our world still holds. A person with this way of thinking calculates his actions several steps forward. But it happens that a clear logical system crumbles like a house of cards.
What would our world look like based only on logic? He would be prosperous and cruel; he would not have the sick, the weak, the unemployed, the poor. All people who would not benefit the world would be destroyed as a result of natural selection.
But we are those who are, we are endowed with emotions, feelings. And so in our world there are many troubles, but many good. People forgive, help each other, save even those whom it would seem impossible to save.
In addition, logical conclusions sometimes run counter to morality and ethics. Too many criminals, killers, maniacs believe that they act quite naturally and consistently.
Man is an illogical creature
Do we often make the wrong conclusions? All people are different, and they make different conclusions.
Logic is a science, and it is imperfect, it is inferior in the truth of real life. Of all the rules, there are exceptions, and science is powerless. In addition, we can dodge and trick, if the conclusion does not suit us.
For example: the guy does not call, does not write, does not pay attention to the girl at all. Most likely, she is indifferent to him (a completely logical conclusion). The girl should have forgotten him. But here emotions begin to play a role.
In addition, perhaps he is just shy, proud. In such situations, logic becomes an instrument of emotions, and as a result of erroneous conclusions, a lot of stupid and rash acts are made.
Therefore, it is worth distinguishing between false conclusions and true ones and, in addition to logic, relying on feelings and intuition.