What do six-year-olds think about doing philosophy?

After a P4C session, I asked a Year 1 group what they thought about doing philosophy. Here’s what some of them told me:

I like it! It’s my favourite thing to do because we have to say things about THINGS.

It makes me confused because it’s very hard thinking… But when we get confused we can get smarter!

I like talking about things, about questions.

P4C is fun – we can talk together.

We should keep doing P4C because then our brains will get massive! Then you will be smarter and be able to answer all the questions!

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More pupil voice
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Speak up in 2024

The power of Philosophy for Children

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"Sometimes we agree, sometimes we disagree."

Reminders from six-year-olds about some of the benefits of P4C

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“We talk about stuff that is important and interesting”

Pupils feel that P4C helps them with everything from relationships to confidence to staying calm

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“She didn’t used to speak!”

The amazing difference P4C made for one pupil

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"Oracy has made me confident"

Four pupil quotes show the impact of prioritising oracy

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"I will get braver and braver!"

One pupil describes how she is becoming more confident to talk

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"It feels like you're trying to solve something"

Pupil voice about whole-class talk in Reading lessons

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What do six-year-olds think about doing philosophy?

Pupil voice from younger children shows how they enjoy thinking and talking together

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It helps me to be louder

Pupil voice about ‘The Volumiser'

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"It helps you realise when you've got it wrong"

What do children think about Oracy?

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Just like the teachers...

A piece of hard-hitting pupil voice

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Out of the mouths of babes

My blog post for Oracy Cambridge

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What makes a good talk partner?

Why not ask?

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Reflective learners – are you becoming a better talker?

20 questions for pupils to consider

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If we don’t listen then we won’t learn!

Get students involved from the beginning of term

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Did you put your hand up at school?

Pupils tell us why they think their peers don’t raise their hands

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Please could you speak a bit louder?

Creating a classroom culture that shows you value pupil talk

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EEF findings on Philosophy for Children

Teachers report impact on confidence, respect and reasoning

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Take five minutes for pupil voice

How will you know it’s working if you don’t ask?

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Using P4C in Literacy

Pupils and teachers talk about how Philosophy for Children enhances teaching and learning

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'You get to be friends with people you never thought you’d be friends with'

If you’re not yet doing P4C – this video will convince you. If you are, it will convince you to do more.

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Reasons to do P4C: pupil voice

Children describe how P4C helps them listen to others and to express themselves

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A new start for a child – could this be your school?

From challenging behaviour to integration.

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We didn't listen to the teacher!

Through P4C, children see the value of listening to each other.

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I will... the impact of pupil voice

Examples of what staff decided to do differently, after reading pupil voice about talk in their classrooms.

Children want to change partners!

More pupil voice about the idea of changing talk partners more often.

“When it's hands up they pick the smart children...”

‘Hands up’ is a very common way of inviting pupil participation in lessons. However, research shows that typically only around 25% of the class raise their hands.

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Talk Promise (2)

I was thrilled to see the newly-developed promise displayed in every classroom on a return visit to one of my 'talk schools'.

P4C can motivate children to write

I’ve been working with a group of Manchester teachers to discover how to optimise P4C in the teaching and learning of English.  It’s been lovely to hear from pupils and teachers about some really positive experiences.

Does P4C help you? Pupil voice February 2018

Year 4 and Year 6 children discussing the advantages of doing P4C.