In today’s world, children are constantly exposed to a whirlwind of information, scrolling through social media before school and then discussing what they’ve seen with peers. To navigate this digital landscape, children need more than just facts—they need critical thinking skills to assess what’s true, what’s misleading, and what’s worth questioning.

At the heart of critical thinking lies a powerful mindset: intellectual humility—the ability to recognize that we don’t know everything and can make mistakes. This mindset encourages curiosity and prepares the brain for healthy skepticism.

Why Modeling Matters

According to psychologist Albert Bandura’s social learning theory, children learn not just by instruction, but by observing adult behavior. When adults openly admit they don’t know something or acknowledge they were wrong, they’re teaching children how to approach uncertainty with maturity and honesty.

In fact, a recent 2024 study by Porter et al. found that students are more engaged and motivated when teachers show intellectual humility—by admitting confusion or lack of knowledge. It creates a classroom culture where learning and growing matter more than appearing “right”.

Still, it can be uncomfortable to admit we don’t know something, especially in front of children. The overconfidence bias, which affects even experts, often pushes us to act more certain than we really are. But we can overcome that by using two simple, powerful phrases:

1. “I Don’t Know”

When adults admit they don’t have all the answers, they model honesty and curiosity. Instead of guessing or making something up, saying “I don’t know” can turn into a teachable moment.

• Encourage research together: Look up the answer as a team. Teach kids how to find reliable sources and evaluate information critically.
• Fuel wonder and curiosity: For big questions like “How did life begin?” it’s okay to say that science still seeks answers. This shows kids that mystery and discovery go hand in hand.
• Normalize lifelong learning: Admitting ignorance signals that learning never ends—even for adults. That’s a powerful message for kids.

2. “I Was Wrong”

Acknowledging a mistake models how thoughtful people change their minds based on new evidence.

Here’s how to model this:

• State the mistake and correct it: “I thought Pluto was still a planet, but I was wrong—it’s classified as a dwarf planet now.”
• Explain how you found out: “I read an updated article from NASA.”
• Highlight the lesson: “Changing your mind when you learn something new is smart, not shameful.”
  

This teaches kids that knowledge evolves, and adapting is a strength, not a weakness.

Encouraging Kids to Do the Same

Bandura’s theory also emphasizes motivation—kids are more likely to repeat behaviors that are recognized and praised. So when children show intellectual humility, it’s important to name and celebrate it.

Psychologist Ronald Crouch suggests a simple approach called “Model, Label, Praise”:

• When a child says “I don’t know,” respond with:
  Model: “I didn’t know that either”
  Label: “That’s honest”
  Praise: “Thanks for saying so—admitting that is a smart first step toward learning.”
• When a child changes their mind based on evidence, say:
  “That shows open-mindedness. You’re thinking like a real scientist!”
  

By consistently modeling and reinforcing this kind of thinking, adults help children develop intellectual humility. This vital trait allows them to learn, grow, and reason in an age of constant information.