We use "thinking skills" everyday, most of it unconsciously. Whether it is deciding to purchase clothing or food, or perhaps figuring out what method of transportation to take home in the evening. In the former, we use cost-benefit analysis to determine which purchase would give us the most satisfaction and utility for each dollar spent. The method of elimination comes into play when we deliberate on which combination of transportation systems we could use to reach our desired destination. These are thinking skills that work best when they are identifiable and systematically examined.

These thinking skills are similar to the skills of riding a bicycle or swimming. Each of us possess these skills, but undoubtedly through training and practice we are able to use them more proficiently. Just like bike riding and swimming, thinking skills can be exercised and improved. The LogicMills programme seeks to identify, isolate and hone these skills in all of our pupils, whether they are 4 or 64 years of age.

Analytical skills are the tools everyone needs in order to make reliable judgments, draw sound conclusions and make good assessments about claims presented to us in everyday life – from seeing through advertising spins to interpreting articles in print or electronic media. Possessing analytical skills helps us reason and hence make the best choices and decisions given the information we have and the situations we are in.

Information Technology has made information so readily accessible that a mere possession or ability to recall the facts is not sufficient. What becomes more crucial is to be able to filter and evaluate the mass of information from a myriad of information sources, and determine their validity and currency to the problems we need to solve.

At LogicMills, we have curriculum and programmes designed for

• children in nursery and kindergarten (4-6 years old),
• students in primary school (7-12 years old),
• students in secondary schools (12-16 years old),
• students in polytechnics and junior college (17-18 years old),
• students in tertiary institutions (19 years old and above), and
• home-schoolers.

We also conduct corporate training programmes for the working professional.

Students from different age groups do have greatly differing viewpoints on similar subjects; and in all our classes, the views of each individual are respected and given equal weight. This is desirable, as both older and younger students learn the most from our classroom discussions when there are many diverse views. Our students, regardless of age, are taught to propose their own opinions, as well as back upthese opinions with credible premises and sound arguments.

Far from being a stumbling block to effective learning in any of our classes, the slight age disparities create a unique environment that facilitates intelligent, informative exchanges. In fact, older students learn quickest when communicating knowledge to younger students, while the younger students benefit directly from the additional instruction.

The LogicMills curriculum has four levels.

It is essential that every student begins at level one. The LogicMills programme has been tailored to deliver a specific set of complete skills at each level. Upon completion of level one, students will have a basic grasp of the tools needed to create cogent and coherent arguments. These tools are essential for the further advanced classes in levels two through four.

The only exception is if a student has already participated in a LogicMills workshop. Individual students in this situation will have their case carefully reviewed by our team of teachers before finally receiving a recommendation as to which level they should continue at.

It is desirable for every student to undergo the 32 week curriculum in order to receive the LogicMills advantage. Our advanced classes tackle problems of a profounder level of complexity and greater variety. The topics and activities employed are of an open, non-linear type that parallels the real challenges students are bound to face as they advance through their school education and thence into adult life. The very nature of these lessons demands that students offer independent and innovative responses. Students will experience first hand the difficulties as well as the great rewards of creating their own original solutions and ideas.

However, if a student is unable to continue the curriculum to its completion, an attempt should be made to complete at least two levels. This way, the child will still be equipped with a valuable set of tools to use at his disposal.

When a student has completed the 32-week course, we would strongly encourage the student to participate in our bi-monthly "Thinkery®" sessions. These sessions will allow students to practice their skills with former classmates and teachers, as constant usage is key to maintaining the skills taught here at LogicMills at their peak.

Certain games and activities developed by LogicMills can also be purchased from our centre. These may then be brought home to be enjoyed at leisure with both family and friends. We at LogicMills firmly believe that spending time together in a shared activity is a healthy and desirable way to promote family bonding.

The workshop will cover the key concepts taught in the enrichment classes, and is an intensified version of enrichment classes. The workshop will benefit your child, as your child will still be able to take valuable skills away from the course. However, we recommend that if time and schedule permit, weekend enrichment classes should be chosen as the enrichment classes are more effective in taking students through the lessons at a pace more suitable for increased absorption. This is due to the specific nature of the thinking skills being taught, as absorbing thinking skills requires an extended period of time for optimal internalization.

For more details, please refer to our courses.

We occasionally hold free trial classes for students. These trial classes cover a sampling of the thinking skills taught within the LogicMills HAVIT© curriculum. We encourage parents to attend our trial classes and parent seminars in order to make informed decisions regarding their children’s future.