The Benefits of Teaching Philosophy to Children

Children are often better philosophers than adults. Why? They haven't yet absorbed assumptions. They ask pure, bold questions. They wrestle with justice, truth, and identity with genuine curiosity.

When a child wonders aloud, "What are our lives for?" that’s not just cute, it’s philosophy.  If you’ve ever heard a child ask, ‘What happens when we die?’ or ‘Why is anything real?’—you’ve witnessed philosophy in its purest form.  Philosophical thinking starts early. Many children begin asking big, meaningful questions long before they understand formal logic.

Instead of dismissing these questions, schools can harness them. Why should philosophy be taught in schools? Because those questions are exactly where deep learning begins.

What Does Philosophy Teach Us?

Philosophy isn’t about memorizing famous quotes or abstract theories. It’s about method. It teaches us:

• How to reason well and communicate clearly

• How to listen thoughtfully and respond respectfully

• How to examine assumptions, clarify values, and wrestle with uncertainty

In short, it teaches us how to think. Not react. Not recite. Think.

This is the importance of teaching and learning philosophy: to move education beyond mere performance and toward meaningful engagement with life’s biggest questions.

Why Is Teaching Philosophy Important in Education?

Why is teaching philosophy important in education? The answer goes far beyond academics. A strong philosophical foundation equips students for everything else they’ll study—math, science, literature, even coding. Philosophy is the original subject that gave rise to them all.

But the benefits aren’t just intellectual. Teaching philosophy develops:

• Moral reasoning

• Empathy

• Resilience in thought

• Civil discourse skills

In a fractured and distracted culture, philosophy helps students slow down, question deeply, and live thoughtfully. It’s not a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Philosophy in Action: Real Classroom Ideas

Implementing philosophy in classrooms (or homeschools) doesn’t require an overhaul. It starts with listening and questioning. Here are simple, actionable ways to begin:

1. Start with a question: Use prompts like “Is it ever okay to lie?” or “What makes something fair?”

2. Encourage student-led discussion: Ask, “What do you think?” instead of giving an answer.

3. Model respectful disagreement: Demonstrate how to challenge ideas, not people.

4. Use short readings: Introduce Aesop’s fables or Plato’s Allegory of the Cave—age-appropriate and thought-provoking.

5. Let silence work: Give students space to think before jumping in.

The right questions, thoughtful dialogue, and quality materials can go a long way in shaping a meaningful philosophy curriculum, whether in a classroom or around the kitchen table.

Teaching Philosophy in Homeschool Environments

Teaching philosophy in a homeschool setting is uniquely powerful. Homeschoolers already operate outside rigid systems. They can weave philosophy into daily life—over breakfast, on a nature walk, during history lessons.

Because homeschool families often emphasize character development and personal growth, philosophy aligns perfectly. You don’t need a formal curriculum to ask big questions. But if you want one, look for programs that:

• Use primary texts or stories (fables, myths, thought experiments)

• Encourage open-ended discussion

• Offer optional writing or journaling prompts

One option is The Thinker's Apprentice which seamlessly combines all these elements into short easy-to-digest lessons.  It's very much like a high school level way to teach philosophy 101.

Philosophy can become the heartbeat of your homeschool—guiding how your family learns, questions, and grows together.  

Overcoming Objections

Some may argue: “Philosophy is too abstract,” or “It doesn’t prepare students for jobs.” But here’s the reality:

• Philosophy majors outperform nearly all other majors on standardized tests like the GRE and LSAT.

• Employers value clear thinking, creative problem solving, and ethical judgment—core philosophical skills.

• A world saturated with misinformation and surface-level thinking needs people trained to question, reason, and reflect.

Beginner philosophy doesn't have to be a college-level course. It can be a mindset, a method, and a movement—starting in early education.

A Better Way Forward

We don’t just want students who can perform tasks. We want thinkers. Creators. Human beings with clarity, integrity, and purpose. Philosophy helps build those people.

Why teach philosophy in schools? Because without it, we risk raising children who can pass tests but can’t navigate life.

Why should philosophy be taught in schools? Because students are already asking big questions—we just need to help them keep asking.

Why is teaching philosophy important in education? Because it creates citizens, not just workers. Leaders, not just memorizers.

The importance of teaching and learning philosophy goes beyond pedagogy. It’s about shaping minds that seek truth, challenge assumptions, and care deeply.

Final Thoughts

At The Learning Hall, we believe that every child is born with wonder and that education should fuel, not flatten, that wonder.

Whether you’re teaching in a classroom, leading a homeschool coop, or exploring on your own, philosophy belongs with you. And with your students. Start small. Stay curious. And never stop asking the questions that matter most.

Teach philosophy. Teach freedom. Teach wonder.

Because teaching philosophy to kids is not just a question—it's an invitation.