Have you ever come across a beautiful work of art, a fascinating object, or an intriguing natural phenomenon and wondered what your child might be thinking? Teaching experts at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education have developed a simple yet powerful “thinking routine” to help children engage more deeply with the world around them.
The See-Think-Wonder strategy is an easy and effective way to encourage meaningful conversations about anything captivating—whether it’s a painting, a historical artifact, or even a cloud drifting across the sky. By guiding children through three thoughtful questions, this approach strengthens observation skills, encourages self-expression, and inspires curiosity.
When you and your child encounter something interesting, try asking:
- What do you see? (Encourages close observation)
- What does this make you think about? (Promotes reflection and interpretation)
- What do you wonder about this? (Invites deeper exploration)
Encouraging your child to respond using “I see… I think… I wonder…” builds confidence in sharing ideas and making sense of new experiences. This simple habit nurtures curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking—skills that support lifelong learning.
Next time you and your child encounter something intriguing, give See-Think-Wonder a try—you may be amazed at the insights they share!
Maureen
