Should philosophy start in childhood? Discover how philosophy for children can improve critical thinking, empathy, communication, and emotional resilience in the modern world. This episode is for parents, teachers, students, and anyone interested in philosophy, education, psychology, and child development. Dr. Maria Kasmirli explores why philosophy should be introduced to children from an early age—not as abstract academic theory, but as a way of encouraging curiosity, dialogue, reasoning, and deeper thinking. The conversation looks at how philosophical discussion helps children develop confidence, communication skills, empathy, emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate disagreement constructively. The episode also examines the growing importance of these skills in an age shaped by social media, polarization, distraction, and shallow conversation. Rather than teaching children what to think, philosophy teaches them how to think: how to ask better questions, challenge assumptions, and engage thoughtfully with other people. If you’ve ever wondered whether philosophy belongs in schools, or why critical thinking matters more than ever, this conversation offers a powerful and practical answer. KEY TOPICS COVERED Why philosophy should be taught to children Philosophy for Children (P4C) explained Teaching curiosity, questioning, and critical thinking How dialogue improves empathy and communication Philosophy and emotional resilience Learning how to disagree respectfully Confidence, vulnerability, and intellectual humility The role of parents and teachers as role models Social media and the decline of meaningful conversation Why philosophy matters in modern education Helping children think independently Philosophy as preparation for citizenship and life TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Should we teach philosophy to children? 00:31 Introduction to Dr. Maria Kasmirli 00:51 Why philosophy for children matters 01:17 What philosophy for children actually looks like 01:51 Questioning, reasoning, and analysis skills 02:12 Why children naturally enjoy philosophical thinking 03:42 Building confidence through discussion 05:11 Philosophy and emotional intelligence 07:04 Why disagreement is valuable 09:26 The importance of listening and dialogue 11:48 Philosophy beyond the classroom 14:17 Can philosophy make us better citizens? 16:45 Social media, distraction, and modern communication 18:56 Intellectual humility and vulnerability 20:42 Teaching through example 23:16 Why role models matter in education 24:27 Final reflections If you enjoy conversations about philosophy, education, psychology, and the big ideas shaping society, subscribe for more episodes exploring timeless questions and modern challenges. Do you think philosophy should be taught in schools from an early age? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. LINKS 👉 Subscribe: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1 👉 Full podcast: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/p/from-plato-to-the-playground-why GUEST Dr. Maria Kasmirli – Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield specializing in philosophy, education, and Philosophy for Children (P4C). Her work focuses on helping young people develop critical thinking, dialogue, and reflective skills through philosophy. HASHTAGS #Philosophy #Education #CriticalThinking #PhilosophyForChildren #ChildDevelopment
