Kids really love silly. I think this is key to getting them to think. For example, with my very young niece, I would tell her nonsense stories, where there's a

Kids really love silly. I think this is key to getting them to think. For example, with my very young niece, I would tell her nonsense stories, where there's a purple lion on the back of the turtle, etc. Keeping track of this weird story kept her gears spinning. Other times I would tease her and say that my name was her name, or that blue was purple. I would try to mimic her voice, or draw out syllables in a funny way. The net result is hilarious conversations where she is explaining very carefully why I am not her, and why colors are different. Basically, keeping things fun is useful for everyone, but even more for kids.