Philosophy Club

Every two weeks or so we will post an item which can used for "Work at Home."  In school your child regularly takes part in Philosophy Circles, in which, following on from a stimulus the children choose a philosophical question to discuss. It is a deep question about the meaning of life and it cannot have a yes or a no answer. Each child thinks of a question and shares it with 2 or three others. The group puts one of the questions to the class and all the children vote which one to discuss.  Children then use their own experience and knowledge to share in the discussion.

Children bring their own knowledge/views/opinions/feelings to the debate but must give a reason for their thinking. They may disagree but they must give their reasoning. The children think creatively and critically and contribute in a caring manner.  They discuss at their own level and are able to think about some sensitive and difficult issues in a natural way with their peers with the adult as facilitator.  At the end of the philosophy circle every person has the opportunity to say what they have learnt and if they have changed their view point.

Philosophy 4 Children is an excellent vehicle to develop higher order thinking skills and to broaden horizons. It is an effective teaching method to develop speaking and listening skills, reasoning and for discussion at the level of the child about some of the more sensitive issues we come across in life. P4C is an important part of our Global Citizenship education.

You or your child may wish to write a comment for the "Work at Home" board in their classroom about any discussion or learning our Philosophy Club brings.

Check the Philosophy Club every couple of weeks.