E36 Making Thinking Visible at Home

Helping Your Child Think Deeper: Simple Strategies from Project Zero

The podcast is back in action and our podcast-based posts are too! After a much-needed break to recoup from a busy fall, it’s time to dive back in with more practical ideas to help your children become thinkers in a world that desperately needs them.

I’m Shelley—a wife to the most wonderful husband, a mom of two little ones, and an education professional in my 18th year working in schools. My experience spans elementary and middle school, and I care deeply about helping children develop into confident, curious learners. Today, I want to introduce you to a powerful yet simple way to deepen your child’s thinking—Visible Thinking Routines from Harvard’s Project Zero.

A Brief History of Project Zero

Project Zero was founded in 1967 at the Harvard Graduate School of Education by a philosopher by the name of Nelson Goodman. His initial focus was on arts education. The name "Zero" came from his belief that, at the time, there was no generalizable, research-based knowledge about arts education—so they were starting from scratch, or zero. Over the years, Project Zero expanded its research beyond the arts, delving into problem-solving, critical thinking, and effective teaching strategies across all subjects. Today, its work influences educators and learners worldwide, providing strategies to help children think deeply, analyze critically, and express their reasoning with confidence. If you're not familiar with this work, be sure to check out their Thinking Routines Toolbox.

What Are Thinking Routines?

If you’re wondering, What exactly is a thinking routine?—you’re not alone! Think of them as simple, structured ways to help children slow down, process their thoughts, and explain their reasoning. These routines make learning deeper and more meaningful, and the best part? You don’t need a classroom to use them! Here are three easy and effective thinking routines that you can start using today with your child.

Routine #1: "What Makes You Say That?"

This is sort of like the catchall of thinking routines, and one that I use all the time with students. This deceptively simple question is a game-changer. It works in almost any situation—when your child makes a statement about a book, a math problem, or even their opinion on dinner, respond with What makes you say that?

Why it works: This routine encourages children to articulate their thinking, make deeper connections, and become more confident in their ideas.

How to use it:

• If your child says, I think that’s the bad guy in the story, ask, What makes you say that?
• If they insist, That math problem is too hard!, respond with, What makes you say that?—helping uncover what’s actually challenging them.
• Even at the dinner table—I don’t like this soup!—instead of shutting it down, ask What makes you say that? You might get a more thoughtful response about the taste, the texture, or the flavors.

As a math educator, I use this routine all the time. If a child identifies a fraction and says which number they think is the denominator, a simple What makes you say that? prompts them to explain, reinforcing their understanding that the denominator represents the total number of equal parts.

Routine #2: "See-Think-Wonder"

This routine is fantastic for developing observation skills and curiosity. It works especially well with pictures, nature walks, and even perhaps when watching a movie together.

Three simple questions:

1. What do you see? (Just observations—no interpretations yet!)
2. What do you think is happening? (Encourages connections and inferences.)
3. What do you wonder? (Opens the door to curiosity and further exploration.)

How to use it:

• At the park, look at an interesting tree or animal and go through the routine together. Soon you'll be onto conversations about seasons, cycles, patterns, and evergreens!
• Use it with artwork or illustrations in books before reading the words.
• Try it with a family photo—kids love sharing their thoughts on pictures!

A pro tip: Write down their responses in three columns. Noting their wonderings helps you build on their curiosity for deeper learning experiences. By taking note, later on you can go back and revisit the questions, encouraging reflection. You can check out library books related to their questions, and drive the learning further.

Routine #3: "Think-Pair-Share (Even Without the Pair!)"

This routine is typically used in classrooms, but it works beautifully at home, too. Normally, kids think about a question, discuss it with a partner, and then share with a group. At home, the “pair” can be a quick pause before sharing, taking a moment to write/draw something, or you can pair up with a sibling or a parent.

How to use it:

• If you ask, What was your favorite part of today?—have your child think silently for a few seconds before answering. This helps them develop more thoughtful responses rather than blurting out the first thing that comes to mind.
• During read-alouds, pause and ask, What do you think will happen next? Give them a moment to think before answering.

Final Thoughts

Thinking routines aren’t about finding the “right” answer—they’re about helping kids express their ideas, back up their thinking, and build confidence in how they see the world. And the best part? They fit into everyday life, whether you’re reading a book, watching a movie, or just chatting over dinner.

So why not try What makes you say that? this week and see where the conversation takes you? If you do, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

As always, thank you for reading, sharing, and being part of this journey. Until next time, keep asking great questions and enjoying those thoughtful moments with your kids!