Big Ideas for Young Thinkers
Studies show that children ask caregivers 300 questions a day during meals, trips to the market, and before bedtime. This book teaches children to think critically and discuss ideas in a world that needs bright young thinkers. Jamia Wilson expertly explores the difficult questions kids may ask by relating them to real-life examples and introducing a diverse range of thinkers and luminaries. Drawing on influences from ancient Greeks right up to modern-day American writers, the idea of philosophy – and who gets to have big ideas – is reimagined.
Choose a question or page to explore and discuss at a time. Relate to the real-life experiences, explore big ideas from a range of thinkers, and decide where you stand on the issue at hand. For example, try to recall your earliest memory. Can you remember a lot or a little? Do memories make us who we are? Or do we pick and choose them to suit who we are? This is a multi-layered book to be explored again and again.
Extra info in the book includes a manifesto for talking about difficult topics and managing disagreements, a glossary of terms, a timeline of key thinkers, and an index of themes.
Chapters are organised into five sections: Identity, Life, Truth, Culture, and Creativity. Questions include:
- Who am I?
- What is race?
- What is gender?
- What happens when we die?
- What is right and wrong?
- What is bias?
- What is freedom?
- What is justice?
- What is memory?
A mind-expanding book to challenge young thinkers, which reimagines philosophy for ages 9 and up.