Intellectual skills include reasoning, hypothesizing, predicting, and the development of ideas. Intellectual skill development does not focus on memorization and right or wrong answers; instead, it reflects a quest for deeper understanding. Renowned early childhood educator Lilian Katz notes that our intellectual lives begin at birth as infants work to understand the world around them and the effects of their actions. The best curriculum in the early years values these intellectual skills and supports children to use them to pursue deeper learning. Children are encouraged to master basic academic skills in service of their intellectual pursuits.

Perhaps this is a familiar scene at your house: It’s bedtime, and it’s time to snuggle up for a read-aloud before you tuck your child into bed. Perhaps, like at my house, you have a shelf full of varied and interesting books from which your child can choose. And perhaps, like at my house, your child chooses the same book every night. Do you ever wonder why…?