By conceptualizing thinking as a form of behavior, the methods of learning theory become applicable to the teaching of thinking skills. Most thinking skills can then be defined and specified as heuristics that are useful in diverse situations, including social and other situations that a student encounters throughout the day. With practice, such turn into habitual thinking patterns. Defining thinking skills as heuristics that are learned in overt form and then made covert and automatized by dint of extensive repetition provides a practical approach to teaching a wide range of thinking skills, including creativity.
Also available at: F. Mechner, Fredrick, T., & Jenkins, T. (2013.) How can one specify and teach thinking skills. European Journal of Behavior Analysis, 14, 285-293.