Important to first teach children basic thinking skills

KUCHING: Children need to be taught basic concepts before progressing to more complex levels of learning, according to author Jais Sahok.

The book by Jais Sahok to be launched this month end.

Also known as Cikgu Jais, he said basic thinking skills need to be given attention before introducing higher-order thinking to children.

He explained that this process is similar to how humans learn to run, they need to be taught to walk first because if not, they will fall before they can run.

“Looking at the current school system, critical and creative thinking skills are emphasised, which involve high order thinking skills (HOTS).

“Critical and creative skills are at the highest level in the knowledge hierarchy. So, what about lower-order skills?

“If the basics are not taught first, it’s like asking a child to run before they have learned to walk,” he said in an exclusive interview with New Sarawak Tribune on Monday (Oct 21).

In addition, he said that he will be launching a book titled Asas Kemahiran Berfikir Untuk Kanak-kanak Dan Dewasa on Oct 30.

The book will be launched during the opening of the Sarawak Writers’ Festival 2024 in conjunction with the Sarawak Book Festival, which will be held at The Hills shopping mall.

The book focuses on methods and fundamentals of thinking, he said, adding it was written to raise awareness that children need to be taught basic thinking methods first before focusing on HOTS.