RSE

Philosophy for Children (P4C)

The majority of our RSE curriculum is delivered through 'Philosophy for Children' (P4C) sessions. This is an approach to learning and teaching which enhances children’s thinking and communication skills, boosts their self-esteem, and improves their academic attainment. In P4C, a stimulus linked to the intended learning, such as a story, video clip or image, is shared with a group of children. The children are encouraged by trained facilitators in school to come up with the kind of big, engaging philosophical questions about the stimulus which are at the heart of P4C. 

Philosophical questions are open to examination, further questioning and enquiry. They are contestable, central and common – that is, there is more than one valid point of view, the question is important in the lives of the children, and it is a shared issue or concern. Children might come up with philosophical questions such as:

• What makes you you?
• Do we have to respect everyone?
• Can good people do bad things?
• Do we all have the same rights?

Through a vote, the children then choose the question they would most like to discuss. The teacher gives the children time to think and reason individually about the question before facilitating the exchange of ideas and opinions as a group, or community of enquiry. Over time, the teacher supports the children to think more deeply and philosophically by encouraging the 4Cs of P4C – critical, creative, collaborative and caring thinking. As questions grow more philosophical and imaginative, children learn to listen carefully to each other, to explore differences of opinion respectfully, and to value the ideas of others. For more information about this approach, please speak to Mrs Pearson or Miss Wigram. Please also explore the links below.