Critical thinking · lesson 8 of 24 · free

Reliable sources — Critical thinking for kids

Where did the information come from? A dictionary, your class teacher, the school notice board, a science textbook, an atlas or a thermometer are usually reliable — they are known and checked. A rumour in the corridor, a forwarded message, a stranger online or a video with no name are not. When two trusted sources agree, the fact is even more likely to be true.

▶ Watch how it works

Got it? Practise ↓

Thinking tip

Who really knows? — “trust sources that are known, checked and responsible”

  1. Usually reliable: a dictionary, your class teacher, the school notice board, a science textbook, an atlas, a thermometer, the bus timetable.
  2. Not reliable: a rumour in the corridor, a random website, a forwarded message, a stranger online, a video with no name.
  3. Good ways to check: ask an expert, look in two trusted books, measure it yourself, read the official notice.

Use it for: Projects, homework research, school news, health questions and anything you read online.

Worked example: 📚 Reliable or not: a stranger online? → not reliable

  1. We do not know who the stranger is or whether they are right.
  2. So a stranger online is not a reliable source.

Check: Try it: check one fact from a project in two trusted sources and see if they agree ✓

▶ Watch it animated

✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, type the answer and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

Right: 0 · Tried: 0

🏁 Lesson 8 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

🏅 Sign in with Google to earn the 📚 Source Sleuth badge when you pass — and a certificate when you finish all 6 lessons of Part 2 · Check the evidence. You can still take the test without signing in.

🖨️ Reliable Sources Worksheet for Kids

✨ Free AI tutor

Ask the AI tutor about this lesson

Why does it work? When should you use it? Ask in English, मराठी or हिंदी.

Sign in with Google to ask Free — 20 questions a day.

👩‍🏫 Critical thinking classes — live online, request a call back

Prefer a real teacher? TalentJR teachers take live online classes anywhere in India. Tell us what you need and our team will call you with timings and fees.

Live online classesSmall groups or 1:1 with a teacher, from home, any city.
We call you backOur team asks what your child needs, then shares timings and fees.
Home tutor?We are still building our list of home tutors — ask on the call if there is one near you.
Badges, certificates & gifts A badge for every lesson you pass, a certificate for every part you finish, plus TalentJR Points for daily practice. Logical reasoning Series, coding-decoding and puzzles.