The Philosophy for Children, also known as P4C, is the name of project of using the discipline of philosophy as a way to help children become more educationally and intellectually energetic, curious, creative, inspired, and reasonable. These ideas were created by Professor Matthew Lipman. He thought of the idea for this project in the late sixties/early seventies. At this point in time, he was teaching philosophy at Columbia University in New York but he later became a professor at Montclair State University. The sixties were a time of social conflict. Because a sense of reasonableness was in short supply during this time, there was a growing interest in education programs to develop a way to increase thinking skills. In addition, a feeling …show more content…
1974
Establishment of IAPC as part of Montclair State College.
1975
Establishment of IAPC as part of Montclair State College. Writing (together with Ann Margaret Sharp and Frederick S. Oscanyan) of first edition of Philosophical Inquiry, the instructional manual to accompany Harry.
1983
Beginning of Master's Program in Teaching Philosophy to Children at MSC.
1988
Establishment at Montclair State College of Institute for Critical Thinking (ICT).
1995
Montclair State College becomes Montclair State University (MSU). Philosophy for Children revalidated by National Diffusion Network. Doctoral programs in Philosophy for Children begin to make their appearance.
1996
Ed.D. in Pedagogy, Specialization in Philosophy for Children begun at Montclair State University.
2002
Matthew Lipman retires from Montclair State University as Professor Emeritus; Professor Maughn Gregory becomes IAPC Director.
B. Physical
…show more content…
Matthew Lipman and the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children emphasize the use of a community of inquiry method. The term "inquiry" is preferred to "lesson" because the emphasis is on the group inquiring together into questions. The teacher is a facilitator rather than the authoritative source of information. Social aims for this method are that they want students to be active learner and feel that environment is relaxed and conducive to learning. In a typical inquiry, a group of students would be presented with a thought-provoking question or visual aid. All students are welcomed to participate in the conversation and share their opinions. P4C teachers and facilitators believe that childhood is a time to learn to have a voice and collaborate ideas with peers.
The National Curriculum is beginning to recognise the importance of thinking as a basis for children’s learning. Philosophy for Children is the ideal tool to stimulate thinking skills. P4C aims to improves children’s critical, creative and rigorous thinking. Schools want to develop higher order thinking skills, improve communication skills and helps children learn to co-operate with others. Children learn to reflect before speaking so that they are accurate in what they really want to say. All this has huge benefits for the National