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Philosophy with Children: Early Years Thinkers

Philosophy with Children: Early Years Thinkers. The Strathclyde Early Years Educational Research Conference Dr. Claire Cassidy 7 th September 2013 claire.cassidy@strath.ac.uk. Philosophy with Children. Philosophy with Children – generic term Philosophy for Children (P4C)

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Philosophy with Children: Early Years Thinkers

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  1. Philosophy with Children: Early Years Thinkers The Strathclyde Early Years Educational Research Conference Dr. Claire Cassidy 7th September 2013 claire.cassidy@strath.ac.uk

  2. Philosophy with Children • Philosophy with Children – generic term • Philosophy for Children (P4C) • Socratic Method • Thinking Through Philosophy • Guided Socratic Discussion • Community of Philosophical Inquiry (CoPI) • Practical philosophy.

  3. Some key figures • Socrates • Leonard Nelson • Philip Cam • Richard Paul • Gareth Matthews • Robert Fisher • Matthew Lipman • Catherine McCall

  4. Philosophy deals with big ideas • Knowledge • Science • Ethics • Mind • Art • Religion • Metaphysics • Politics

  5. Why should we do Philosophy with Children? • Confidence • Challenge • Question • Non-confrontational • Argumentation • Creativity • Fallibility • Reason • Society and……

  6. … It’s FUN!!!

  7. What can you do in your own practice? • Allow the children to own the dialogue • Work with children’s questions • Encourage agreement and disagreement – with reasons • Allow silence • Don’t reword or rephrase • Avoid conclusions or consensus • Question and challenge • Don’t be afraid to stop everything for philosophising

  8. Getting started ideas • Think about your stimulus – fairy tales are good to start with • Thinking box • Sit in a circle • Read story and ask for questions that are puzzling • Model questions • Write questions, note questioner’s name • Select questions from the box • Structure – encourage agreement/disagreement but with reasons • Talk about listening, talking, thinking skills and building on others’ ideas • Philosophy/thinking/talking corner • Puppets/figures

  9. Useful questions • What did you find puzzling or interesting in the story? • Why do you think that? • Can you say a bit more? • Can you give us an example of that? • What do you mean when you say …? • Does that mean you agree or disagree with x?

  10. Curriculum for Excellence • Where does Philosophy with Children fit in? • Successful learners • Confident individuals • Effective contributors • Response citizens

  11. Successful learners with… • Openness to new thinking and ideas • Think creatively and independently • Make reasoned evaluations • Link and apply different kinds of learning in new situations.

  12. Confident individuals who can… • Relate to others and manage themselves • Develop and communicate their own beliefs and view of the world • Assess risk and take informed decisions.

  13. Effective contributors who… • Communicate in different ways and in different settings • Apply critical thinking in new contexts • Create and develop • Solve problems.

  14. Responsible citizens who will… • Develop knowledge and understanding of the world and Scotland’s place in it • Understand different beliefs and cultures • Make informed choices and decisions • Evaluate environmental, scientific and technological issues • Develop informed, ethical views of complex issues.

  15. Something to think about… • “Education has failed if it simply produces a great uncritical mass of people who will be uncritical at the ballot box, uncritical consumers and uncritical when it comes to raising their own children. If children were encouraged from an early age to be powerful critical thinkers they would be less likely to be the dupe of advertising, politics, professionals and other assorted groups who have a vested interest in putting conviction before truth. Teaching philosophy to five year olds is one way to start ensuring ordinary people can call the Emperor’s bluff.” Coles, 2006, p.35

  16. Want to take this further? • Postgraduate Certificate in Philosophy with Children • Part of MEd • Three modules (£335 each) • Tuesday evenings 6pm – 8.30pm • Starts Tuesday 17th September

  17. Contact Dr. Claire Cassidy School of Education Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences University of Strathclyde 141 St. James’ Road Glasgow G4 0LT 0141 444 8036 claire.cassidy@strath.ac.uk

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