Philosophy4Children Blog: 2012

That's philosophy for you!

Barbara Vidion on 7 May 2012 at 23:17

 "It was very reassuring to know that both presenters had taught philosophy in their role as teachers. The benefit of this came across in their presentation." This comment is from one teacher at the last school we visited. 

The training we deliver in schools is experiential and intended to challenge the thinking of those taking part. This comment from the last training session expresses this: "I thought the presentation was very informative and entertaining. The content was interesting and thought provoking - which I wasn't expecting" 

Well, that's philosophy for you! 

The act of thinking

Dot Lenton on 1 May 2012 at 11:15

Barbara and I were delighted to be asked to write another article for Primary Teacher Update. Our second article has appeared in the May issue and is entitled The Act of Thinking. In this article we explore the possibility that children's thoughts can actually be seen in action! Thinking is not a passive activity  - ideas and thought are flying around all the time. They change and develop - they are changed by what we see, what we do, what we feel and by the interactions that we make with others' thoughts and ideas. It is an exciting process and so should learning be. We believe that Philosophy4Children can stimulate this process and lead to exciting and dynamic thinking and learning!

What is happiness?

Barbara Vidion on 25 April 2012 at 18:29

What is happiness? Can happiness be sustained for long periods of time? Do we need to experience unhappiness in order to feel happy? What is the difference between being happy and being contented? Such a lot of questions arose during our visit to a school in Thames Ditton today! 

The training we delivered today was an introductory session which centres on a philosophical enquiry, this enables teachers to have first hand experience of how an enquiry works as well as seeing and discussing how philosophy can best fit into their school and classrooms. The enquiry didn't finish for us when we left the school - Dot and I were discussing the nature of happiness on the journey home too!

What a challenge!

Barbara Vidion on 6 March 2012 at 14:52

Our brief in a South Norfolk school last week was to introduce philosophy for those members of staff new to this way of working and to move those on who were familiar with using philosophy with children - all in an hour and a half! With a super group of 12 teachers we covered the basics and had a fascinating (but short) philosophical enquiry. We then moved on to look at developing questioning with children and ways of find the philosophical issues in their questions - which may not at first appear to be very philosophical. The feedback at the end of the session showed that we had met our challenge! "A very good introduction to how to run a philosophy session, good ideas and practical demonstration" was the comment from one teacher new to P4C. And from one of the experienced staff members "Extremely useful reminder of the sequence and ways of moving on."

Philosophy4Children welcomed warmly in West Yorkshire.

Dot Lenton on 2 February 2012 at 15:12

Although the weather was extremely cold Barbara and I received a very warm welcome at Ashlands School in Ilkley. The staff plied us with rolls, cake and cups of tea as well as lots of interest and enthusiasm for teaching philosophy. This is a school that really involves children in their own learning. This ethos is so important when delivering philosophy for children in the classroom. The staff are keen to become co-enquirers with the children and demonstrated a passionate desire to make this method of teaching and learning work. We had a brilliant time and we came away buzzing with new thoughts and ideas. These are our favourite sessions - where imagination, excitement and stimulating conversation abound. The next blog will have some quotes from the school - so watch this space!