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Don't be put off by the title
Philosophy for Children (P4C) is a well-established teaching method that fosters community building, enhances critical and creative thinking, improves communication skills, and supports overall well-being.
Key thinkers in this area:
John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)
Richard Stanley Peters (1919-2011)
P4C is an educational approach that encourages people to think critically, creatively, collaboratively, and reflectively. It involves facilitating structured discussions around philosophical questions or topics, often inspired by stories, scenarios, or real-world issues.
Key aspects of P4C include:
Critical Thinking: Helping learners analyse and evaluate ideas logically.
Creative Thinking: Encouraging imaginative and innovative ways of approaching problems.
Collaborative Dialogue: Fostering respectful discussion where learners listen to and build on each other's ideas.
Reflective Thinking: Promoting self-awareness and the ability to reconsider one’s beliefs and assumptions.
The method is typically led by a facilitator who guides the discussion, creating a "community of inquiry" where learners feel safe to explore complex ideas and perspectives.
Teaching strategies that are linked to P4C
Questioning and inquiry: Teachers use questions that encourage exploration rather than definitive answers, such as "What is fairness?" or "Can you have freedom without rules?". Learners can be encouraged to pose their own questions, which guide the discussion.
Facilitating discussions: Teachers model and encourage active listening, ensuring all voices are heard and respected. Learners are encouraged to build on or challenge others' points in constructive ways.
- Conceptual Exploration: Teachers guide students to identify and explore key concepts, such as truth, learning or happiness
Reflection: Learners reflect on their contributions to the discussion and their thinking processes. Teachers ask learners to consider how their thinking has evolved during the inquiry (see metacognition).
- Developing Oracy Skills: Emphasis on clear articulation of thoughts and attentive listening.
- Promoting Critical and Creative Thinking: Asking learners to consider alternative viewpoints or solutions. Probing deeper with Socratic questioning.
Questions
How can FES teachers create a safe and inclusive environment where all learners feel confident to express their thoughts and ideas?
What strategies can FES teachers use to facilitate effective discussions and ensure all voices are heard?
How can FES teachers balance guiding the inquiry with allowing learners to take ownership of the discussion?
Can an appraoch designed for children reallly contribute to the development of FES learners' critical thinking, creativity, and well-being?
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