Should reasoning skills be taught in primary school? Why or why not?

I absolutely think that reasoning skills should be taught in primary school. Reasoning skills are what make us determine what is right and what is wrong. It gives us the ability to make better choices. If young children were taught this skill at a primary level they would be better equipped to handle the tougher challenges that come into play in middle school and high school. If we start teaching reasoning skills at a younger age then students will be more prepared to make tough decisions on their own, such as preparing for SAT/ACT tests, college applications and deciding on post-secondary goals. In an article by Steven D. Schafersman back in 1991, he expressed how important critical thinking skills or reasoning skills are for students. In his article he gives educators the tools necessary to teach these important skills to their students. Steven Schafersman also states within the article that as educators we often teach our students what to think as opposed to how to think. He goes on to give a definition of critical thinking that states, "Critical thinking means correct thinking in the pursuit of relevant and reliable knowledge about the world. Another way to describe it is reasonable, reflective, responsible and skillful thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do. A person who thinks critically can ask appropriate questions, gather relevant information, efficiently and creatively sort through this information, reason logically from this information and come to reliable and trustworthy conclusions about the world that enables one to live and act successfully in it." (http://www.freeinquiry.com/critical-thinking.html). After reading this information I think the skill of critical thinking is imperative for young students. If they could learn how to ask the appropriate questions, gather relevant information and efficiently and creatively sort through that information then they would be much more successful in school and better prepared for the world.

I have heard it said that children at the primary level are not able to learn these particular skills of critical thinking because they may not have the maturity or capacity to understand that higher order of thinking. I can see why people would have this opinion, but I feel that if we start the learning process at that young age they are more likely to gain those skills of higher level thinking and stretch their capacity to learn. Critical thinking is lacking in today's society and if we start young then we can be assured that the skills are there and feel more secure that our children will be more successful in school and everyday life.