I am torn whether to post this here or in the Philosophy forums.
But perhaps here.
This is a radio programme.
It needs to be listened to rather than reading the transcript
It is about an Australian primary school introducing a K-6 Philosophy Course
It occurred to me while listening to it that the Internet could use such a course.
We would then get a much better standard of debate
Quote:
6 December 2008
Teaching children to be philosophers
Listen Now - 06122008 |Download Audio - 06122008
How young is too young to think philosophically? Philosophers like Philip Cam from the University of New South Wales say there's no developmental reason why primary school age children can't be taught to think and to reason, and that developing these skills has a significant effect on their lives both in and out of the classroom.
So this week we spend time with a Grade 6 class at Stanmore Public School in Sydney as it grapples with what constitutes a meaningful life.
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Alan Saunders: Hello, I'm Alan Saunders, thanks for joining me for The Philosopher's Zone.
In the Year 6 classroom at Stanmore Public School in Sydney, the teacher, Dan Smith, is always right. Well, nearly always. Because once a week when the students move all the chairs into a big circle and gather for an hour of philosophy, their teacher is the first to admit that he does not have all the answers.
Two years ago, the school introduced philosophy to grades 5 and 6, and even though it's still a niche subject in Australian schools, its popularity is growing. From next year, learning to teach philosophy will be compulsory for all teaching students at the Queensland University of Technology
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Philosophers Zone - 6 December 2008 - Teaching children to be philosophers
