What We Can Learn From Little Thinkers
It’s maybe a little too easy to assume that the same person who can’t keep their room clean and who doesn’t want to brush their hair isn’t a deep thinker. Don’t let the toys on the floor and lack of an indoor voice fool you! Your kid already has tremendous wisdom to share. Tapping into the way a kid thinks not only empowers them and gives them opportunities to grow and learn, but it also has the potential to help grown-ups become better thinkers too.
Whether we’re new to the world, or a seasoned citizen of it, don’t we all need to keep our thinking skills sharp right now?
Here are 8 important lessons about thinking we can learn from a kid:
1. There are no limits on the number of questions we get to ask. Curiosity is a bottomless pit, thank goodness!
2. No question is too silly, and no subject should be considered out of bounds. It’s okay to be curious about all kinds of things.
3. We can take turns, and we can listen, even when we’re really excited about an idea. This works in circle time, and it works in philosophy.
4. It’s okay to admit when we don’t know. In fact, it’s a beautiful place to begin a great conversation.
5. Big questions were meant to be shared, and are made even more amazing when we get to ask them together.
6. Both questions and ideas can be found anywhere- books, movies, games, music, food, arts and crafts, toys…keep your eyes and ears open!
7. Thinking can happen in big bites, but also in small bites. If you’re in the right frame of mind, with the right companions, a lot can be accomplished in 5 minutes.
8. Thinking is actually fun! Playing with ideas may not seem as serious and important as working on them, but it actually yields thought and discussion that are just as enriching and useful.
There’s no better way to keep ourselves feeling young than to think like a young person. It’s not only okay to give ourselves permission to be “childish” once in a while, but it’s good for inquiring minds of all ages.
Happy thinking!
