When children are engaged in a philosophical enquiry you will often hear words like “I think I disagree with myself now.” This demonstrates they have been through a process where they have had an idea, shared it, listened to other’s thoughts and have been persuaded someone else’s idea has value. Children are so much more open to changing their minds than many adults are – one example where we, as teachers, can learn from our children.
Category: News
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That’s philosophy for you!
” It was very reassuring to know that both presenters had taught philosophy in their role as teachers. The benefit of this came across in their presentation.” This comment is from one teacher at the last school we visited.
The training we deliver in schools is experiential and intended to challenge the thinking of those taking part. This comment from the last training session expresses this: “I thought the presentation was very informative and entertaining. The content was interesting and thought provoking – which I wasn’t expecting”
Well, that’s philosophy for you!
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The act of thinking
Barbara and I were delighted to be asked to write another article for Primary Teacher Update. Our second article has appeared in the May issue and is entitled The Act of Thinking. In this article we explore the possibility that children’s thoughts can actually be seen in action! Thinking is not a passive activity – ideas and thought are flying around all the time. They change and develop – they are changed by what we see, what we do, what we feel and by the interactions that we make with others’ thoughts and ideas. It is an exciting process and so should learning be. We believe that Philosophy4Children can stimulate this process and lead to exciting and dynamic thinking and learning!
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What is happiness?
What is happiness? Can happiness be sustained for long periods of time? Do we need to experience unhappiness in order to feel happy? What is the difference between being happy and being contented? Such a lot of questions arose during our visit to a school in Thames Ditton today!
The training we delivered today was an introductory session which centres on a philosophical enquiry, this enables teachers to have first hand experience of how an enquiry works as well as seeing and discussing how philosophy can best fit into their school and classrooms. The enquiry didn’t finish for us when we left the school – Dot and I were discussing the nature of happiness on the journey home too!
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What a challenge!
Our brief in a South Norfolk school last week was to introduce philosophy for those members of staff new to this way of working and to move those on who were familiar with using philosophy with children – all in an hour and a half! With a super group of 12 teachers we covered the basics and had a fascinating (but short) philosophical enquiry. We then moved on to look at developing questioning with children and ways of find the philosophical issues in their questions – which may not at first appear to be very philosophical. The feedback at the end of the session showed that we had met our challenge! “A very good introduction to how to run a philosophy session, good ideas and practical demonstration” was the comment from one teacher new to P4C. And from one of the experienced staff members “Extremely useful reminder of the sequence and ways of moving on.”
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Philosophy4Children welcomed warmly in West Yorkshire.
Although the weather was extremely cold Barbara and I received a very warm welcome at Ashlands School in Ilkley. The staff plied us with rolls, cake and cups of tea as well as lots of interest and enthusiasm for teaching philosophy. This is a school that really involves children in their own learning. This ethos is so important when delivering philosophy for children in the classroom. The staff are keen to become co-enquirers with the children and demonstrated a passionate desire to make this method of teaching and learning work. We had a brilliant time and we came away buzzing with new thoughts and ideas. These are our favourite sessions – where imagination, excitement and stimulating conversation abound. The next blog will have some quotes from the school – so watch this space!
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Enthusiasm in London
Barbara and I enjoyed an excellent day working with the staff of Mayville Primary School in Waltham Forest. There was a real buzz about the school and there was genuine enthusiasm for introducing philosophy4children in the classroom. The head teacher ended the day by giving the staff passionate encouragement to begin working in this way with the children. She explained that it was important to give the children confidence in thinking for themselves and not following the gang culture that exists outside in the local area. We came away excited and encouraged by what we had seen and heard. One teacher said, “This session was fantastic. It’s what we needed here!” We are both looking forward to finding out how the school progresses. It is really exciting!
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Flying High!
Thursday and Friday proved to be very busy when Philosophy4Children went international. We flew to Holland to take part in the Dutch International Schools Conference held at the International School in Hilversum. Keynote speakers on Friday were JoAnn Deak, educator and psychologist speaking on Differentiation by Stretching and Growing Children’s Brains and Frank Furedi, professor of Sociology at the University of Kent who spoke on The Risks of the Pedagogy of Differentiation. There were over 1,000 delegates from across Holland – the atmosphere was buzzing! We ran two workshops, both were full to capacity, and had a great mix of teachers – both primary and secondary, philosophers, school governors and managers. We were impressed with the energy and enthusiasm of all those involved and, as always, Dot and I enjoyed ourselves immensely!
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A first for Philosophy4Children
We were thrilled and delighted to be invited to write an article about philosophy for children in the new magazine Primary Teacher Update! Now the article is in print and in the very first edition of the magazine! If you want to have a look go to www.primaryteacherupdate.co.uk
This is a very new magazine that celebrates the very best in Primary Classroom Practice! We think that it is worth the £3.99 asking price. You can read about how to tackle head lice to helping parents to help their children at home to philosophy in the classroom and much much more……
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I wasn’t sure … I am now!
“I was not sure about the “wee” ones (year 3) being capable of embracing philosophy, but I am now!” This was one of the comments from a teacher following an INSET day in North Norfolk last week.
It is always exciting to see Philosophy4Children embraced with enthusiasm. This was certainly the case when we worked with staff at Beeston Hall School. Our training is experiential and gives everyone a chance to take part in a philosophical enquiry – to experience what the children will experience, what better way to learn!
Here are a few other comments following the session:
“It allows for deeper thinking and reflection for all…”
“I can see how it helps to develop a culture of no right / wrong way and of respecting others’ opinions”
“It helped me to think more widely and I could see how it would help the children too. Not too much to listen to and plenty of time for input and thinking.”
It was a pleasure to work with such an enthusiastic group of teachers. I’m sure children at Beeston Hall will have an exciting time with philosophy over the years to come!
