5 Reasons To Be Thankful For Little Thinkers

We have so many reasons to be grateful for engaged parents, supportive teachers, enriching communities, and for our own creative team. It takes a village to raise amazing thinkers, and we’re very lucky to have such a big one. However, if we’re in the midst of being thankful, we also need to include kids themselves on our list. We’d like to pause for a moment and show gratitude for the many little thinkers out there who keep the big question train rolling along.

Here are 5 reasons why we tip our hats to little thinkers:  

1. To a kid, philosophy is play. All of us, big and little, need to be reminded every so often, that there is joy and fun in asking “Why?” This playfulness is central to all the materials we create, and we so appreciate it.

2. Wee philosophers tend to be fearless in what they ask. No question is too big, to silly, too out-there. We recognize and celebrate the courage it takes to dig into ideas, and we thank all the kids who show it.

3. Kids also don’t mind bringing up big questions at all hours of the day, even when it’s inconvenient or awkward. This is a good thing. It means philosophy is just part of their routine, the flow of their lives. It should be that way for all of us, and we are grateful for the inconvenience.

4. Kids also see connections between ideas that adults don’t. Maybe it simply stems from seeing the world with a fresh pair of eyes, but new perspectives are what all of us need right now in order to solve problems.

5. Kids don’t even know they’re doing philosophy. The word “philosophy” itself doesn’t have to be involved (though kids don’t seem to mind learning impressive big words), nor do they need to have an encyclopedic knowledge of famous thinkers and theories (though neither of these hurt to have around either). To a child, thinking is just thinking, and it’s wonderful to watch it unfold.

Once again, thank you to all the grown-ups who make philosophy with kids happen, but most of all, thank you to the kiddos who jump right in with enthusiasm and wonder. We hope you keep asking questions and having amazing conversations. We also hope you carry all that curiosity and creativity into your grown-up years, and that you inspire everyone around you, both young and old, to do the same.