It’s not just for bearded men in togas, or academics at universities! Philosophy for Kids (or P4C, as it’s known) is an educational movement that’s been gaining momentum worldwide since the 1980’s, and with good reason. Children of all ages love to ask big questions, and with their vivid imaginations and willingness to speak their minds, they’re natural philosophers. The benefits a student can reap from being engaged in philosophical inquiry in an educational setting are numerous, and include:
- Developing an ability to think critically about all sorts of information and evaluate its accuracy and relevance.
- Increasing their sensitivity toward important issues, and their awareness of the world around them.
- Improving their communication skills, and the ability to formulate convincing and well-supported arguments.
- Gaining a sense of self-awareness and understanding, as well as a feeling of responsibility for their own choices and actions.
Because philosophy works well with plenty of interaction and discussion, a homeschool environment is an ideal place to introduce it to students. Philosophical questions can be found in almost any subject area. Literacy, media studies, and social studies are obvious choices, but even physical education and math can be enriched by philosophy. What’s more, philosophy is an incredibly flexible subject that can be taught through a variety of activities, including journal writing, role playing, craft projects, and even sports. It seems to bring about all sorts of amazing teachable moments.
For homeschool educators who find the idea of bringing philosophy into lessons a little daunting, there are a host of print and online resources available. Many grown-ups find that studying it with their children can be an enriching experience for themselves as well. You can begin bringing philosophy into lessons as early as kindergarten, and the amazing conversations you have are likely to keep going well beyond graduation.
Amy Leask is an educator and children’s author who specializes in philosophy for kids. She’s constantly amazed and delighted at what young philosophers come up with, and is convinced that even infants are capable of deep thoughts. Her work can be seen at KidsThinkAboutIt.com, as well as through Twitter (@sophiasbigideas) and Facebook (Sophia the Wise).
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