What would you do if you were the Prime Minister? P4C game

The front door of Number 10 Downing Street

Source: Sergeant Tom Robinson RLC, OGL v1.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One of my favourite P4C warm-up games is to ask pupils to have a think about what they would do if they were the Prime Minister.

They can then take turns around the circle saying If I were the Prime Minister I would…

It’s such a simple game but develops critical and creative thinking, and can give you quite an insight into your pupils’ thoughts, concerns and ideas (for example, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-leeds-40109158).

Simpler versions for younger pupils include

  • If I were the Queen I would…

  • If I were in charge of the world I would…

  • If I had a magic wand I would….

 
Posts about P4C facilitation
P4C dialogue in the classroom.jpg
What does collaborative thinking look like in P4C?

A detailed description including building, helping, sharing and working together

Pair talk in P4C.jpg
Learning to ask philosophical questions

How to start a question, and think about whether or not it’s philosophical

Prindle Institute - example.jpg
Fantastic resource site for P4C picture books

Over 200 guides to help you do philosophy with children

Philosophy for Young Children - cover.jpg
Philosophy for Young Children – A Practical Guide

Packed with example discussion scenarios, this book will help you raise your facilitation game

Why Think Sara Stanley - with fox.jpg
Philosophical Play from Sara Stanley

Full of practical ideas and lovely examples of children’s words; I recommend this book

hiker-1984421_1920.jpg
Philosopher's Backpack

A P4C website which includes the fabulous Philosopher’s Backpack

P4C in the time of COVID - thumbnail.png
P4C sitting in rows?

Tips, games and stimuli to help you maintain high-quality P4C in these unusual times

P4C stems for facilitators - Screenshot.png
P4C stems for facilitators
The Birthplace of P4C

This summer I was lucky enough to attend the annual summer seminar organised by the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children (IAPC) based at Montclair State University, NJ.