Philosophy 4 Children (P4C)
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Philosophy for Children (P4C) is a powerful educational approach which has been found through research studies to have cognitive and social benefits for children and schools. It is more effective, and less expensive, than any comparable approach. Attainment and happiness are increased. It is centred on philosophical enquiry, where a trained teacher encourages children to think and reason as a group. It supports Personal, Social and Health Education and complements many government initiatives and education strategies.
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Going For Gold
SAPERE's 'Going for Gold' Programme of P4C provides training and support for primary schools.
It is a 3 year programme to embed P4C in our school. The programme's aim is to offer schools a planned and structured approach to training and support in order to implement and embed P4C in a more cost effective and sustainable way.
We have recently achieved our Bronze Award.
It is a 3 year programme to embed P4C in our school. The programme's aim is to offer schools a planned and structured approach to training and support in order to implement and embed P4C in a more cost effective and sustainable way.
We have recently achieved our Bronze Award.
Our Aim
One of our main aims this year is for all children in our school to have regular P4C (Philosophy for children) sessions to help develop their thinking skills, communication skills and social skills. The aim is to help children become more thoughtful, more reflective, more considerate and more reason-able individuals.
Using philosophy to help children become…
‘… more thoughtful, more reflective, more considerate and more reasonable individuals’. Matthew Lipman
Using philosophy to help children become…
‘… more thoughtful, more reflective, more considerate and more reasonable individuals’. Matthew Lipman
Thinking for yourself through thinking with others
In Philosophy for Children (P4C) sessions, children are shown a starter for thinking, such as a story, a picture or a film clip. Prompted by this, children create questions together in small groups. They share their questions and vote on which question they would like to discuss as a class.
The teacher facilitates the discussion of the chosen question by helping children to develop opinions and give supporting reasons; to analyse significant concepts and to search for meaning as a group.
The main principles of a P4C discussion:
• It’s OK to change your mind
• It’s OK to disagree, as long as you are respectful
• Everyone’s ideas are valued
The teacher facilitates the discussion of the chosen question by helping children to develop opinions and give supporting reasons; to analyse significant concepts and to search for meaning as a group.
The main principles of a P4C discussion:
• It’s OK to change your mind
• It’s OK to disagree, as long as you are respectful
• Everyone’s ideas are valued
4Cs Thinking
P4C is designed to develop thinking that is:
Caring - understanding others and being respectful of different opinions
Collaborative - finding solutions together
Creative - making connections and thinking of new ideas
Critical - understanding what we think and why
Here are some examples of P4C questions, created by the children, which we have discussed in school:
• Should you forgive others?
• Is it better to do what you think is right or to follow the rules?
• Is it worth risking your life for a friend?
• Is the mind more powerful than reality?
• Can you have too much power?
Caring - understanding others and being respectful of different opinions
Collaborative - finding solutions together
Creative - making connections and thinking of new ideas
Critical - understanding what we think and why
Here are some examples of P4C questions, created by the children, which we have discussed in school:
• Should you forgive others?
• Is it better to do what you think is right or to follow the rules?
• Is it worth risking your life for a friend?
• Is the mind more powerful than reality?
• Can you have too much power?
Benefits of P4C
Research shows that P4C helps children’s further development in 3 main areas:
Cognitive, speaking, listening and reasoning skills are developed, resulting in improved literacy and numeracy outcomes.
Cognitive, speaking, listening and reasoning skills are developed, resulting in improved literacy and numeracy outcomes.
Critical reasoning and dialogue
Children are able to give reasons for their opinions and discuss and explore difference and diversity in a reasonable way.
Emotional and Social
Confidence, concentration and self-esteem are boosted. Children are more able to manage their feelings appropriately and become more understanding towards others. For further details visit the website www.sapere.org.uk
Help at home
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If you would like to support our work at home, simply having a short conversation with your child that involves saying what you each think and why is beneficial and fun! You can talk about the book they are reading, what is happening on the news or get them to tell you about what they are discussing in their P4C sessions. There is also a P4c question on our weekly newsletter.
Please click the thumbnail to download the Parents Leaflet.
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Some thinking games you could play
• Odd one out
• Choose 3 objects, pictures, family members, animals etc - which is the odd one out and why?
• Can you find reasons for each of them to be the odd one out?
• Connections
• Choose 10 objects at random. Can you see connections between two different objects, or three (or more)?
• Good because….bad because ….questions
• Ask what could be good or bad about different situations, eg
• If we could hear people’s thoughts
• If writing was never invented
• If nobody was allowed to own anything
• If dinosaurs still roamed the land
• If we could swap brains with our friends
• Choose 3 objects, pictures, family members, animals etc - which is the odd one out and why?
• Can you find reasons for each of them to be the odd one out?
• Connections
• Choose 10 objects at random. Can you see connections between two different objects, or three (or more)?
• Good because….bad because ….questions
• Ask what could be good or bad about different situations, eg
• If we could hear people’s thoughts
• If writing was never invented
• If nobody was allowed to own anything
• If dinosaurs still roamed the land
• If we could swap brains with our friends
Philosophy Policy
