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In an age of instant text messaging, real-timeTwitter updates and fast paced Playstation games our children are being encouraged to make snap decisions with little rationalisation or justification for their choices.
The way in which children mentally approach problems and explore courses of action in the search for solutions forms an important part of their education and it is an area that is often overlooked.
Peter Worley is director of the social enterprise Philosophy Shop and has been teaching his unique Philosophy in Primary Schools programme since 2002.
‘Being able to think well and reasonably benefits students in their lives beyond school as well as improving their approach to other subjects. Philosophy is an enquiring subject: the children learn how to assess and evaluate their own claims and those of others using nothing other than good reasoning and questioning,’ he explains.
The aim of the Philosophy Shop is to use philosophy in the classroom to encourage children to think more clearly and to use logic, lateral thinking skills and constructive argument to approach problems.
Mr Worley has developed a range of popular ‘thinking games’ aimed at encouraging children to use reason to explore different ideas.
Examples include the Relevant Reason Rule which can be used by tutors and teachers to show their learners how facts and evidence can be used to support a general claim.
Other games include exercises aimed at breaking children’s circular thinking habits by getting them to discuss and define a complex concept, such as ‘love’,‘grow’ or ‘mind’, without ever using the word itself.
Mr Worley says that children connect very easily with the thinking games and that they are a popular part of his sessions providing the children with light relief while at the same time encouraging serious thinking discussions.
Not only does the use of philosophy in a teaching environment benefit the students but it can also help teachers improve their questioning skills, enquiry skills and in helping them to teach their learners to think constructively about difficult themes.
Dean Housen teaches at St Mary’s Church of England Primary School and has been impressed by Peter’s work with learners.
‘The lessons were delivered in a lively way that fully engaged allpupils and consolidated their speaking and listening skills, along with group working skills. I have also learnt an awful lot about thephrasing of questions to children from watching Peter teach,’ he said.
By encouraging children to mentally tackle questions which explore the nature of truth, transformation and alteration or the implications of cause and effect, tutors and teachers can expanda learner’s inquisitive nature and help to build a clearer thought process.
Philosophy can be a powerful tool in teaching children to explore the world around them and can benefit the way that children approach a wide variety of subjects including languages, maths and science.
It is something that is becoming increasingly popular as the benefits for learners become more apparent.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PHILOSOPHY SHOP VISIT WWW.THEPHILOSOPHYSHOP.CO.UK OR CALL 020 8699 9314
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