Philosophy with Children

‘In philosophy you learn how to think not what to think’ a student

Every child at Bondi Public School engages in a philosophy session every week facilitated by Kate Kennedy White a FAPSA Accredited Philosophy teacher/educator and supported by Dr Paula Keating and the classroom teachers.

What is Philosophy with Children?

Philosophy with Children is a program to develop critical, creative, cooperative and caring thinking in children. Underpinning philosophy is the pedagogy of a community of inquiry – a cooperative yet rigorous environment where the children work together to explore and define concepts, develop reasoning and thinking skills and examine ethical and moral issues. Philosophy is not a separate subject but a program for a way of thinking that overlaps into all other aspects of school life – the social, educational and emotional environments. Philosophy provides a model for students to develop thinking with an emphasis on the basic skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening.

What it is not?

Philosophy is not teaching about the philosophers but rather developing a philosophic way of thinking. It is not ‘baby philosophy’ as both research and practice demonstrate clearly that children can discuss complex open-ended questions, listen to opposing views and redevelop their thinking based on listening to the group.

What is so great about Philosophy in School?

Philosophy develops self-esteem as all children’s thoughts and ideas are respected within the group. Many children who struggle in a traditional learning situation thrive on the philosophy sessions, as there is ‘not just one right answer’. Philosophic practice develops an approach to learning that students will carry throughout their life.

Is this something new?

Philosophic inquiry and the art of questioning goes back to the time of Socrates but was expanded into the education context by the 20th Century educator John Dewey. Philosophy in schools was introduced as a practice in primary schools in the sixties by Mathew Lipmann.

Though widely practiced in Europe, UK and South America for several decades, it has only been introduced in Australia in the last decade through the work of Philip Cam.

Philosophy in schools is based on the concept that the real process of education should be the process of learning to think through the application of real problems (Dewey).