What type of question encourages critical thinking in young children?

Open-ended questions are highly effective in encouraging critical thinking among young children because they invite elaboration and promote exploration of ideas. By allowing children to respond in their own words, open-ended questions stimulate creativity and problem-solving skills. They provide an opportunity for children to express their thoughts, feelings, and understanding, which can lead to deeper conversation and reflection on a subject.

For example, asking a child, "What did you like most about your favorite story?" encourages them to think critically about their experiences and articulate their reasoning. This contrasts with yes/no questions, which limit responses to a simple affirmation or negation, and closed-ended questions, which may elicit single-word answers without opportunity for further discussion. Multiple choice questions can also restrict children's thoughts to predefined options rather than fostering their individual analytical and expressive abilities.