With regards to philosophy for children, it is not suggested that they study the life work of great philosophers; the focus is on questioning, reasoning, thinking for themselves and developing debating skills.
In the short clip below, Doctor Sara Goering explains that there are three key learning outcomes derived from philosophy in children:
- Cognitive Thinking enabling our children to think critically about a topic and build a valid argument for or against it. Evaluate a situation using logic enabling pupils to respond articulately to objections of their peers by using creative counter examples.
- Behavioural Skills which enables children to hold conversations with fellow pupils by listening to others and responding either in agreement or disagreement without conflict.
- Philosophical Awareness. Our children will understand what a philosophical question is and how to answer it. Knowing they can work through the difficult philosophical questions and expand on them they are able to use this in other areas of their education enabling them to go into depth when it comes to answering exam questions.
Philosophy without doubt has a place in the education system, although I am unconvinced that Philosophy, as a subject, should justify space within the timetabled day. The skills and thought process should be encouraged throughout the national curriculum. Pupils should most definitely be taught to think for themselves rather than taking what they are being taught as gospel. When answering questions in lessons all pupils should be asked to expand and explain why they believe that is the correct answer, allowing others to convey their counter arguments.
References
Cam, P., 1995. Thinking Together: Philosophical Inquiry for the Classroom. Marrickville. Southwood Press Pty Limited.
Fisher, R., 2008. Teaching Thinking: Philosophical Enquiry in the Classroom Third Edition. London. Continuum International Publishing Group.
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