Philosophy for children (P4C) INSPIRE MORNING

‘The aim of a thinking skills programme such as P4C is not to turn children into philosophers but to help them become more thoughtful, more reflective, more considerate and more reason-able individuals’ Matthew Lipman

Why are we implementing P4C at Drayton Park? Research shows P4C: Improves the behaviour and attitude of pupils – conflicts recorded in the playground dramatically reduce; Teaches children how to listen to their peers viewpoints in class and in the playground; Gives children the tools to express themselves more clearly and confidently;

Improves the quality of language used by pupils; Ensures children are able to answer open questions and engage in dialogue much more confidently; Develops children’s problem solving skills across the curriculum; Helps children ask questions in other subjects more confidently; Has a significant positive impact on attainment in English and Maths.

What does a P4C enquiry look like? Thinking game Presentation of stimulus Thinking time (key to P4C) Formulating big ideas Question-Making Question Airing Question choosing First thoughts from the children Building (Enquiry) Final thought

Let’s try some thinking games Ask my bag a question:

Would I lie to you? I have been to watch a film at Buckingham palace… 10 questions

Magic Carpet Show the children your magic carpet and explain that this is a magic carpet because it can transport you anywhere and at any time – could be to the past or the future. However, you only get two minutes there and you can’t change history or bring back information etc – everything remains untouched – you are just an observer. Where would you go (past or future) and why?

Different kinds of stimulus Text as stimulus:

Video as stimulus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz8iEJeh26E&list=PLOIduCsImPA43R4cDOpMkfXtFRZup3nTn

Images / Photos / Art as stimulus

Other types of stimulus: Quotes: ‘Our choices and how we handle them, shape the people we become.’ Hillary Clinton, former US Secretary of State. ‘Everything past is unreal, everything future is unreal, everything imagined, absent, mental... is unreal... Ultimately real is only the present moment.’ Fyodor Shcherbatskoy Objects: A musical instrument, a ring etc. Music: ‘How it feels to be free,’ ‘Happy.’ etc.

Formulating big ideas What big ideas do you think of when hearing this story?

Question making With your child, write an open ended question. Start your question in one of these ways: What is… What if… How do we know… Is it possible to… When is… Who… What is the difference between…

Question airing and choosing Vote for your favourite question… What follows is a discussion about the chosen questions. Does anyone have any thoughts about this question?

Is it better to be a happy dog or an unhappy person? Questions: Is it better to be a happy dog or an unhappy person?

Questions: With you child, discuss some of the questions given in the pack provided

What do our children think? “It’s good to get ideas together about life.” “It’s fun! You can learn from others about big ideas.” “I like sharing what I have in my mind. P4C is a time I can do this.” It gives children who are shy a chance to speak.

“P4C helps give children who are shy the chance to speak.” “It makes your brain think hard. I really enjoy that.” “Children all have their own opinion and it’s okay to have your own opinion, even if its different to everyone else.”