Is Your Preschooler Too Young for Critical Thinking?

Imathscanada09 Jun, 2025Education

Have you ever watched your preschooler question everything from why dogs bark to why they can’t have ice cream for breakfast, and thought, “Wow, this kid is curious, but is that thinking?” And the answer is: It absolutely is. According to research by Harvard child psychologist Paul Harris, children ask about 40,000 questions between the ages of two and five. The way young children explore and ask relentless “whys” isn’t just them being adorable; it’s the earliest form of critical thinking. It just doesn’t come packaged in formal debates or long-winded essays. It shows up in puzzles, pretend play, and even snack-time negotiations.