The Socratic Method: A 2,000 Year Old Teaching Strategy That Still Works for Every Age Group
If you’ve ever had a student answer a question with another question, you’ve already encountered the Socratic method in action, whether they meant to use it or were just stalling for time.
Named after Socrates, the Ancient Greek philosopher, this method is all about asking open-ended questions to guide students towards deeper thinking, rather than simply giving them the answers. It’s not about lecturing, it’s about leading discussions that spark curiosity, critical thinking, and self-discovery.
While often associated with law school or philosophy courses, the Socratic method isn’t just for adults or advanced learners, it can be adapted for students as young as preschool and used effectively across all grade levels.
So, how do you make a 2,000 year old teaching strategy work for toddlers, elementary kids, middle and hi schoolers alike? Let’s break it down.
What Is the Socratic Method?
At its core, the Socratic method involves:
Asking open-ended questions rather than providing direct answers
Encouraging students to think critically and justify their reasoning
Facilitating dialogue and debate rather than passive learning
Instead of saying, “The sky is blue because of light scattering,” you might ask, “Why do you think the sky looks different colors at different times of day?”
Instead of defining justice, you might ask, “What does it mean to be fair? Can something be fair to one person but unfair to another?”
By doing this, students learn to reason through ideas themselves rather than just memorizing information.
Now, let’s look at how we can apply this method at different grade levels.
Using the Socratic Method in Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Can Three and Four Year Olds Engage in Socratic Discussions? Absolutely.
Young children are already natural philosophers, they constantly ask why and how about the world around them. Instead of always answering their questions, flip the script and let them explore their own thinking. So, how do we use the Socratic method in Pre-K and Kindergarten?
Storytime Questions: Instead of asking “What color is the bear’s shirt?” try, “Why do you think the bear is sad?”
Observational Discussions: If a child asks “Why is the sun so bright?” Instead of giving a scientific answer, respond with, “What does you think makes it so bright?”
Decision-Making: When there’s a conflict, ask, “How can we solve this problem so everyone feels happy?”
Example: During Circle Time, read The Three Little Pigs and ask, “Do you think the wolf was being fair? Why or why not?”
Note that at this stage, the goal is not to push deep philosophical reasoning but to encourage curiosity, language development, and early reasoning skills.
Using the Socratic Method in Elementary School
By elementary school, children are learning basic logic and reasoning, making it a great time to introduce structured Socratic questioning. These are some examples on how to use it:
In Reading: “Why do you think the main character made that choice? What would you have done differently?”
In Math: “How do you know your answer is correct? Can you explain your thinking?”
In Science: “Why do you think plants need sunlight to grow?”
In Social Studies: “If you could change one rule in the classroom, what would it be? Why?”
Example: In a second-grade classroom learning about community helpers, instead of just listing jobs, ask: “What would happen if nobody wanted to be a doctor? How would that affect the community?”
Elementary students love to share their ideas, and by guiding them with questions, you help them develop reasoning skills without relying on rote memorization.
Using Socratic Method in Middle School
Middle schoolers are naturally argumentative (yes, even when they don’t need to be), which makes this the perfect age to refine their ability to reason, debate, and think critically.
At this stage, students can analyze multiple perspectives , defend their ideas with evidence, and challenge assumptions. So, how do discuss with someone who wants to argue? Play devil’s advocate.
In Literature: “What does ‘bravery’ really mean? Does it always look the same?”
In History: “Was the American Revolution avoidable? What might have changed the outcome?”
In Science: “If we could clone humans, should we? Why or why not?”
In Ethics: “Is it ever okay to break a rule? Can you think of examples where it might be?”
Example: In a history class discussing ancient civilizations, instead of saying “The Egyptians built pyramids to honor their leaders,” ask, ‘Why do you think so many ancient civilizations built monuments? Do we still do that today?.”
Middle schoolers love debates, so use the Socratic method to teach them how to argue effectively and with reasoned thought, rather than just saying “That’s dumb”.
Using the Socratic Method in High School
By high school, students are ready for deeper critical thinking and philosophical questioning. This is where the Socratic method shines.
At this level, students should be able to:
Challenge assumptions and biases
Engage in open-ended debates
Make connections between different subjects and real-world issues
Defend ideas with logical reasoning
Change their minds when presented with new information
So how can it be used in high school?
In Literature: “Does power always corrupt? Why or why not?”
In Government: “Is democracy always the best form of government? Can you think of times when another system might be more effective?”
In Science: “If we discover life on another planet, do we have a moral responsibility to protect it?”
In Ethics: “Is lying ever ethical? If so, in what situations?”
Example: In an English class reading 1984, instead of summarizing themes, ask: “If you lived in a world like this, do you think you would rebel or conform? Why?”
At this level, Socratic discussions can be structured as full-class debates, roundtable discussions, or even student-led inquiries.
Why The Socratic Method Works At Every Age
It encourages curiosity. Kids naturally ask “why”, the Socratic method builds on that.
It teaches students how to think, not what to think. Instead of memorizing facts, they learn how to analyze, question and reason.
It develops communication skills. Whether explaining an answer in preschool or debating ethics in high school, students become better at expressing their ideas.
It builds confidence. When students realize they can come to their own conclusions, they become more engaged and independent learners.
It works in every subject. You can use Socratic questioning in math, science, literature, history, ethics, and even physical education. (“Why do you think stretching before a workout is important?”)
Final Thoughts: A 2,000-Year-Old Strategy That Still Works
Socrates believed that knowledge isn’t about memorization, it’s about questioning, thinking, and discovering truths for yourself.
Whether you’re working with preschoolers exploring big feeling, middle schoolers navigating social justice issues, or high schooler preparing for complex debates, the Socratic method gives students ownership of their learning.
So next time a student asks a question, instead of answering it, ask them one right back.
They might surprise you.
