“Really? You can do philosophy with kids?”
Yeah, we get this question a lot, and for good reason. Philosophy seems like a pretty grown-up subject, but the questions it poses are pretty popular among little thinkers. The benefits of doing philosophy with children are both broad and lasting. What needs to be established isn’t whether children can do philosophy, but how they do it. Needless to say, philosophy is different when it comes from the mouths of babes.
Here’s what philosophy looks like when kids do it:
- It’s uninhibited. Young thinkers don’t have hang-ups about asking difficult questions, and they’re not afraid to give their own perspectives. For them, there’s no such thing as an appropriate time or place for discussion.
- It doesn’t last for long. The average adult has trouble focusing on one task for more than twenty minutes, so it shouldn’t be surprising that children tend to do philosophy in short bursts. Nevertheless, a five-minute discussion is still a discussion. Take it in whatever quantity you can get it.
- It happens in relation to something else. Quite often, questions arise from a favourite book, television show, song or movie. An event at school, a family activity, or a visit with a friend can also serve as a catalyst. Children are the ultimate applied philosophers.
- It involves humour, play, and silliness. It could be argue that learners of all ages learn better through play, but for a child, it’s a necessity. Learning to play with ideas and questions is likely to spark a lifelong love of them, and it’s wise to embrace the fun parts.
- It comes up again and again. Repetition is key with young learners, and a big question asked once will likely pop up again…and again…and again. Philosophy is supposed to be an ongoing dialogue anyway, right?
- It happens whether you’re there or not. By the time a child engages in discussion with an adult, they’ve probably been rolling an idea around in their head for some time, discussing it with friends, and testing it out in their every day life. Why not get involved in this?
Philosophy with children looks a fair bit different than it does with adults. Well, so what? Coding is different with children, as are cooking, biology, drama…you get the picture. Embracing the differences young philosophers present will not only create a unique learning experience for them, but will also make it more accessible and enjoyable for the adults that participate with them.
Follow the lead of your little thinker and jump in!