How Parker Smart Kids measures thinking.
Each lesson presents a realistic scenario followed by six decision points. Each decision targets one of six thinking skills. The child selects from four options scored in three tiers: ideal (3), strong (2), partial (1), or weak (0).
Lessons are matched to nine age tiers from 8 through 16. Each age tier adjusts language complexity, context, and expectation level while using the same core scenarios.
The Six Skills
Reasoning
Explaining why one answer is stronger based on evidence and logic.
Judgment
Making safe, fair, evidence-aware choices under uncertainty.
Pattern Recognition
Noticing repeated clues, changing rules, and meaningful signals.
Problem Solving
Choosing a workable path forward instead of reacting impulsively.
Emotional Intelligence
Considering how feelings, intent, and impact affect decisions.
Decision Quality
Weighing tradeoffs, consequences, and fairness before choosing.
After each lesson, scores are stored per child and reported to the parent with skill-level breakdowns, strengths, growth areas, and conversation prompts.
For the full research foundation, see the research paper.