11 Simple ideas to introduce kids to philosophy

Kids may not be familiar with the practice of philosophy, so we’ve created some ground rules that will promote better discussion:

1. Raise our hands before you speak

2. Don’t be afraid or shy of asking questions.

3. Never speak when someone else is speaking.

4. We justify our opinions by giving reasons for them

5. Learn to listen carefully to what is being said

6. Be respectful of others’ opinions by not judging them!

7. Disagreement is good, so long as it is done with respect. Don’t expect everyone to share the same perspective as you.

8. Avoid having side conversations! You won’t appreciate others being talking or distracted when you are also speaking.

9. Ask them questions about a story from a book they have read to start a conversation

10. Allow your kid to ask questions too. Many children's bookstackled problems of racism, environmentalism, equality, injustice, etc. 

11. At home, you can do something as simple as responding to a question with a clarifying question. If a child asks you, “Are aliens real?” you might respond, “What do you think it means for something to be real?” and then go from there.

Do you have other ideas? Please do share with us in the comments.