I'm part of the action. This kind of reactive thought is trained by experience. Pilots are great at it, as are pinball wizards and Nintendo addicts. It's where we get new ideas, create hypotheses, figure out solutions. Reading helps, as does writing.
Analytical criticism helps.
Teachers help a lot. Reflective thinking is what produces real insight, valid opinions, and original ideas. A child that can master both kinds of thinking will be way ahead of the game. Paper books don't require immediate response, or demand that the child react in a certain way. Put multimedia books and TV time in the same category, and limit both to a reasonable percentage of your child's day.