Okay, there’s still snow on the ground in some places, but spring is officially here! It’s a time for newness, for awakening, and there’s no better way to celebrate with a little thinker than playing with some really fun spring-themed big questions.

Critical thinking is one of the most important skills you foster in a kid. You could even go as far as saying it’s a survival skill for the 21st century. However, given the sheer volume of information floating around out there (and given the fact that the pile keeps getting bigger), critical thinking on its own may not be enough anymore.

It seems like such a big, complicated topic, because it is. Thinking about how, when, where, what and even why we think is one of the more complex things we can ponder. It’s also one of the most important, and yes, it is doable with kid thinkers too.

Ask pretty much any parent, particularly those with small children, and they’ll tell you as much. What parent hasn’t been ambushed by a million bouts of “why”? Who hasn’t been minding their own business, going about their daily tasks, only to have the little in their house hit them with a truly difficult question for which there is no easy answer (if there’s any answer at all)?

Grab a cup of tea, put your feet up, throw out a big question, and (with sincerity) ask “What do you think?” In this case, silence is gold

Kids have never been privy to so much at such an early age as they are now, and they very badly need to know how to filter and find what’s true, what’s important, what’s helpful, and pass on things that are just interesting. They need to know when and how to act on this information.

Your kids’ extra screen time doesn’t have to be a source of guilt or a disaster. If your kids go for quality over quantity, there are fun and enriching ways to turn television, movies, games, and apps into learning opportunities.

Ah, the holidays… visits from family and friends, sumptuous meals, thoughtful gifts, and for many families, a whole lot of time with kids who would ordinarily be busy at school. How does a parent with an already-hectic schedule keep little hands occupied, while keeping young minds supple and ready to go back to class in the new year?

Philosophy may have a reputation for being all about essays and debates, but when it comes to young thinkers, it needn’t be limited to just one or two avenues of learning. There are as many ways to approach big questions as there are children to ask them.

Experiences outrank simple stuff any day of the week (or any time of the year). They tend to stick better than the latest toy trends, and they have more widespread, lasting benefits to a child. We’d like to humbly suggest that this year, you give your child something that really will keep on giving: philosophical dialogue.

It’s surprising how the right big question, asked in an engaging manner, and discussed in a safe learning environment, will inspire a young learner to participate.

The season of snow has begun, and holidays are just around the corner! As we tiptoe (or stomp) into winter, there are so many opportunities to engage little thinkers in some big thinking.

It really doesn’t take much to spark curiosity in a kid. They spend their days lit up with questions and quandaries, and aren’t afraid to share and explore. It’s this drive and enthusiasm that helps them develop and navigate the world.

It’s also what makes them natural philosophers.

Yes, even philosophers have a special day, and this is it!

Today, we celebrate the asking of big questions, the curiosity behind them, and the patient and creative stream of thought with which we work through them. Around these parts, we also celebrate the little thinkers who seem to effortlessly embrace philosophy, and the big thinkers who encourage them.

It’s never too early to start talking about racism, or any kind of discrimination, with your child. There are ways to approach it in an age-appropriate way that will open up dialogue and have a lasting, positive impact.

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. The angry, shouty kind lets us blow off steam, but it doesn’t get us any closer to figuring things out or understanding one another.

Why, as parents, do we have such a hard time looking like fools in front of our kids? Why, after centuries of wise fools, haven’t we embraced the notion that sometimes, in order to dig out important ideas, we might have to be a little foolish ourselves?

Their reality includes social media, interactive learning, and the expectation that they’ll be innovative in their way of thinking. All of these things hinge on being able to not just coexist, but to thrive as a group.

As luck would have it, doing philosophy with your kids can help with this vital skill.

Weird changes things. It makes new things happen.

It’s also a pretty good description of how little thinkers function.

It’s a subject that can make even a mature adult’s palms sweaty, and on the surface, it seems like the last thing anyone would want to bring up with their child. However, not only can you have a productive and engaging political chat with your young thinker, but you really should.