This activity suggests a seemingly crazy idea, but asks your child to find all the arguments to support it. They will have to dig deep but see if they can make a reasonable case for it (eg zero is nothing, maths worked before it was invented, confusing with letter O).
1) There must be an advantage to this. What is it?
2) What are the disadvantages and how can you counter them?
3) Which people would be most supportive of your argument?
This activity suggests a seemingly crazy idea, but asks your child to find all the arguments to support it. They will have to dig deep but see if they can make a reasonable case for it (eg zero is nothing, maths worked before it was invented, confusing with letter O).
1) There must be an advantage to this. What is it?
2) What are the disadvantages and how can you counter them?
3) Which people would be most supportive of your argument?
Don't worry about getting the right answer here. What matters more is your child's ability to make sensible assumptions, guestimate in a structured way and not rely on Google! Worked example: UK population = 70 million, assume 20 million households, assume 25% have bought an iPad. Gives about 5 million iPads.
1) There must be lots! How can we make a good guess?
2) How many households are there in the UK?
3) How many of these might have bought an iPad?
Don't worry about getting the right answer here. What matters more is your child's ability to make sensible assumptions, guestimate in a structured way and not rely on Google! Worked example: UK population = 70 million, assume 20 million households, assume 25% have bought an iPad. Gives about 5 million iPads.
1) There must be lots! How can we make a good guess?
2) How many households are there in the UK?
3) How many of these might have bought an iPad?
Google "6 hat thinking" for a quick framework, that helps you see any problem from multiple angles, and teach it to your child. Example for traffic problem: White - analyse when is traffic worst; Yellow - will be less pollution and noise; Black - cost of public transport will increase; Green - could do more ride sharing
1) People are very used to using their cars. What would change their behaviour?
2) Of the 6 ways of thinking in the framework, which do you find easiest?
3) What colour hat should you remember to put on, given it is not your natural style?
Google "6 hat thinking" for a quick framework, that helps you see any problem from multiple angles, and teach it to your child. Example for traffic problem: White - analyse when is traffic worst; Yellow - will be less pollution and noise; Black - cost of public transport will increase; Green - could do more ride sharing
1) People are very used to using their cars. What would change their behaviour?
2) Of the 6 ways of thinking in the framework, which do you find easiest?
3) What colour hat should you remember to put on, given it is not your natural style?
You will love the quick, fun and stimulating questions we will send you - and so will your kids
