Children as Philosophers : Learning Through Enquiry and Dialogue in the Primary Classroom

This book was written with the belief that philosophy, the use of reason and argument in seeking truth and knowledge of reality, can assist with children's thinking, speaking and listening skills as well as providing a stimulus and structure for morals enquiry within the PSE/citizenship curriculum.

Drawing on the authors' own research with primary children, this work addresses the issue of developing disciplined enquiry as an essential component in schooling and shows teachers how to develop this enquiry approach in their practice.

The authors illustrate, with the aid of case studies, the content of a social and moral curriculum, the role of the teacher and the children.

The book is divided into four parts: part one discusses getting started and introduces new techniques; part two looks at rehearsing and developing new techniques ; part three shows the reader how to gain confidence and search for boundaries; and part four covers the process of tackling secrets and re-establishing boundaries.