When one thinks of philosophy, children do not usually come to mind. After all, it’s a field of study that requires deep thinking and understanding of life. However, a “large, well-designed study” conducted by the Education Endowment Foundation has suggested positively amazing results amongst children who were taught just an hour of philosophy a week.
The study shows that nine and ten-year-old children who participated over the course of one year greatly improved their literacy and math skills. What’s more, the students who benefitted the most were, in fact, disadvantaged ones.
The P4C (“Philosophy for Children”) teaching program was developed by professor Matthew Lipman in New Jersey in the 1970s to teach thinking skills through philosophical dialogue. It has successfully been adopted by schools in 60 countries, with documents supporting the impact it has on children’s cognitive, social and emotional development.
The hour involves a structured session which begins with a stimulus. The children create their own philosophical questions based on the topic and then collectively choose one as their focus to discuss and debate on. The teacher encourages them to draw on their imagination and supports them on their reasoning and thinking, as well as listening to them when they share their thoughts.
There are even more benefits that simply cannot be gained from traditional schooling. The outcomes for this program teach to think before they speak and to give reasons for what they say, as well as to value other’s views. It teaches to respect other’s and also their own views without being fearful. Most children have no grasp on any of these aspects of communication well into their teens and in some cases, even into their twenties.
As stated in the above-mentioned study, the impact on other areas of the curriculum was proven to be positive. This is because it creates an enquiring classroom atmosphere that extends outside of the philosophy class. The development of listening and reasoning skills builds a sense of independence, and many children nurture a talent and ability for creative writing.
A little philosophy for a lot of benefits – evidently it goes a long way. Perhaps, adults too should dedicate an hour a week for this cause. There is a child in all of us who could greatly benefit from it.
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Teaching philosophy in schools has truly revolutionized the educational landscape, showcasing remarkable improvements in children's cognitive and social skills! By encouraging critical thinking, reasoned argumentation, and open dialogue, philosophy classes empower young minds to navigate complex ideas and diverse perspectives with confidence. It's inspiring to see how this approach not only sharpens intellect but also fosters empathy, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of oneself and others. Truly, integrating philosophy into the curriculum is a brilliant step toward nurturing well-rounded, thoughtful, and compassionate future generations.