The Stoic Question: Philosophy and Psychology How can Stoicism Help Kids?
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Apr 30, 2026 Claudia Mills, emerita philosophy professor and award-winning children’s author, talks about bringing ancient philosophy to young readers. Short stories and Socratic dialogue help introduce ethics, wisdom, and Epictetus’s ideas. Practical tips for sparking curiosity, fostering dialogue, and using philosophy to build empathy and emotional resilience.
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Children Are Natural Philosophers
- Children naturally ask deep philosophical questions and can engage with ancient thinkers through stories and anecdotes.
- Claudia Mills cites Gareth Matthews and uses anecdotes (Diogenes, Aristophanes) to show kids already raise questions like dreaming and fairness.
Model Curiosity Instead Of Cutting Off Why Questions
- Model open-mindedness and curiosity rather than shutting down children's why questions.
- Claudia Mills advises parents to relearn a childlike spirit, take questions seriously, and explore children's answers with gentle probing.
Admit Mistakes To Teach Intellectual Humility
- Show mistakes and intellectual humility openly so children emulate inquiry not certainty.
- Mills and Donald Robertson stress parents should admit being wrong and value dialogue over delivering incontrovertible answers.
