Reading with your kids not only helps them grow into better readers, but also into better thinkers. Diving into a good book helps to make children aware of other perspectives and possibilities, and it also opens the door for discussion of big questions and complex issues.

When it comes to asking big questions, young thinkers seem to have more than enough courage. In the eyes of many kids, there is no subject that’s out of bounds, no one who can’t or shouldn’t be asked, and no time or place that isn’t right. It’s quite impressive, really.

So why do we lose the courage to ask as we grow up? What exactly are we afraid of?

Setting rules for use, including when, where, what and for how long is both appropriate and necessary, but is it enough to help digital natives really understand the virtual aspects of their lives?

Philosophy is all about presenting an argument, but a specific type of argument. It’s not about the angry, shouty kind of argument, but rather about the kind where you present an idea, give reasons to back it up, and prepare to look for other ideas that may mean you need to re-valuate it.

Children of all ages have big ideas about this, and starting up a conversation can not only help them understand their place in their country, but also how people come together and stay together.

Embracing your own inner philosopher, and encouraging your child to grow as a thinker, is likely to be a fun experience that will build a bond of trust between you.

There are ways to keep a little thinker busy over the summer, and many of them also present opportunities to fill in any linger learning gaps, and even get ahead of the game for September.

Taking risks, being critical of ideas (even your own), and being willing to back up and try again, are all part of learning, for thinkers big and small. Don’t let the thought of getting it wrong keep you from taking on big questions with your kid!

Okay, so they don’t play well in fancy museums, and they’re more interested in using art books to build forts than they are in reading them. They love to colour outside the lines, and they include new ways to mess up their room in their definition of creativity. Don’t be fooled, though! There are rich, captivating discussions to be had with your children about art, and diving in can yield a whole lot of benefits.

While we can all agree that no two kids (or people for that matter) think alike, we’re pretty confident that in some way, shape or form, all kids like to ask big questions.

Now that Spring has arrived, and families are venturing out for treats in an al fresco setting, there are even more opportunities to chow down on big questions.

This practice that takes time also lasts a lifetime. There are most definitely short term advantages to being a critical thinker, but it’s important to note that kids who fit into this will have clarity and agency for years to come, in their academic studies, their professional pursuits, and in their personal lives.

Really, every day should be Earth Day (we do live on and depend on it, right?). We’re always excited about asking big questions and taking a closer look at our relationship with our lovely blue planet and its inhabitants.

There are a lot of grey areas in the information we receive these days, and kids need to learn to think about them critically.

There is one vital skill that we should be helping our kids to cultivate, one that can help all kinds of learners to bridge the gap in education.

It's critical thinking.

It’s really never too early to think critically about what makes someone “other”, and about how to bridge the distance.

Kids have a unique perspective on freedom, and chatting with them about it presents great opportunities for critical thinking.