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Philosophy for Children (P4C)

Philosophy for Children is a program that involves children in a whole class discussion on philosophical issues. It aims to improve children's thinking through introducing them to, and enabling them to investigate, many of the 'big questions'. Using the program, P4C facilitators encourage children to think more deeply about the ideas behind their schoolwork in a classroom community of inquiry. Children will then focus reflectively on their own thinking and the skills they use, thus improving them, in the meantime exploring and enhancing their own ideas and those of others in response to the philosophical issues. The joint exploration of ideas leads to more cohesive shared knowledge within the group.

Philosophy for children improves critical, creative and rigorous thinking. Children develop their higher order thinking skills and the attitudes and dispositions necessary for good thinking. Philosophy for children improves their communication skills and their abilities to work with others. It can boost children's self-esteem and intellectual confidence. It aims to create a caring classroom situation where children:

· learn to ask and construct questions and raise topics for discussion

· learn to articulate reasons for what they think

· learn to be more thoughtful by basing their decisions and actions on reasons

· are encouraged to challenge and explore the beliefs and values of others, and to develop their own views and theories

· experience quiet moments of thinking and reflection

· learn to respect, listen to and understand a diverse range of views

· learn to be clear in their thinking and to make responsible and more deliberate judgments

· change their ideas in the light of good reasons and evidence and learn from one another

· develop the ability of self-correction and self-evaluation.

P4C Origin

Philosophy for Children is created by the US philosopher - Mathew Lipman - in 1969. Lipman emphasized the importance of questioning or enquiry in the development of reasoning. There were empirical evidences that teaching children reasoning skills early in life greatly improves other cognitive and academic skills and greatly assist learning in general. Nowadays more than 50 countries from all continents have applied its program.

Instructor

Our instructors are SAPERE (The Society for Advancing Philosophical Enquiry and Reflection in Education in UK) certified P4C practitioners.