how do you teach someone who has never thought for their self to think for theirself?

Question

as in a 12 year old who admits they do not know who they really are , and do not know how to be their true self..

Answer 1

You can't insist for someone to do what you want as they will do it in their own time. I've seen many people at 21 all of a sudden wake up one day and know the answers to those questions, as if a lightbulb went on, and all of a sudden they understood what their parents were preaching to them all their lives. Other people understand and make the change when they go into the military.

Sure times have changed, and times are moving faster now, and children seem to grow up faster, and know more because of peers. But surely you would not want that 12 year old to learn from their peers what you and your family should be teaching them as they grow up.

Some children are so governed by their parents and family who make the decisions for them that they don't learn to shift for themselves....even some people go right out of high school and into a marriage and never think for themselves throughout their marriage...then one day they start shifting for themselves, using their own ideas, and a divorce happens. I've known of people at 35 who for the first time in their lives started thinking for themselves. They had military-like parents who made decisions for them.

In your situation, I would think it's whether that child wants to learn, and when they are ready to learn. You can, if your on the right track yourelf, teach them the right way to do things. Eventually they will copycat you. One day they will realize they can make decisions to and start to make them.

Answer 2

Does a 12 year old know who they really are, yet?? They are only 12!!! Most adults don't figure out who they are or what they want to be in life until they hit 30. Give the kid a break. geez

Also, I hope you aren't teaching that kid bad grammar or how not to speak the English language properly. "Theirself"-??

Answer 3

I have yet to see a 12 year old that does know themselves...isnt that the age when they are "finding" themselves ...let her do things for herslef , make own breakfast, maybe lunch ..... find things on her own, go to the store .... simple things but nothing that would hurt her or allow her to hurt anyone else .....I mean the kid is only 12 ...thats a new and very different age for them ..allow them to grow and learn and they will

Answer 4

Now there's a question! You might want to ask the people who are researching artificial intelligence as it's pretty much along the same lines.
I'd say start with small projects and gradually work the child up while letting go.

Answer 5

Like learning anything, repitition is helpful.

Thinking for one's self requires critical thinking skills.
Most often, we use critical thinking skills for problem solving.
You could simply engage the child in scenario discussions, such as, "What do you think should happen in this circumstance?", or even for current events, "What do you think of the reasons for...?". Of course, you must be careful not to provide your own opinion, but merely supply information from as many perspectives as possible.

Personally, I don't think 12 is too young for a child to be given materials for which to learn critical thinking skills. These skills can only help later in life.

As far as knowing who you are, that is a question one should ask themselves everyday of their life.

Answer 6

12 year old people feeling this way is exactly appropiate. thats what these years are for- self discovery. life experience and strong emotional support from people who care will find him in the right place in a few years.

Answer 7

well they're only 12 nobody knows who they are when they 're twelve you still don't in your 20's some people never discover their true identity. I'd say give him/her time to grow into themselves, and start giving them choices to make with out your help. Start with simple ones, then gradually increase to more important ones

Answer 8

theirself is not a word. are you the 12 year old? the word is themselves.

Answer 9

you have let him do some things for himself and let him do it at his on pace l know this as l have a 13 year old girl its been hard for me as l have only had my 13 year old girl home for 4 months

Answer 10

if you are teaching someone to think, they are not going to be thinking for themselves but rather in the way you taught them...right?