The 4Cs of P4C

In Philosophy for Children we support students to consider and develop four types of thinking: caring, collaborative, creative, critical. These are known as the 4Cs of P4C.

Here is a useful and brilliantly simple breakdown of the 4Cs from P4C trainer Nick Chandley:

We are caring thinkers when we...

• think about what’s said

• listen to others carefully

• imagine how others feel

• don’t interrupt

• wait our turn

We are collaborative thinkers when we...

• speak to each other

• build on ideas

• are friendly and helpful

• share our experiences

• work together

We are critical thinkers when we...

• ask big idea questions

• test ideas

• give good reasons

• look for evidence

• suggest conclusions

We are creative thinkers when we...

• make connections

• think of new ideas

• explore possibilities

• compare things

• suggest alternatives

Credit: Nick Chandley

When we focus on the 4Cs, pupils start to think about thinking in a different way. They start to build awareness and skills, and over time they will sometimes consciously choose which 4C attitude to adopt.

Next steps:

• Try using this PDF resource from Dialogue Works which presents the above breakdown in a helpful enquiry review format.

• Read about the 4Cs in more depth with The 21st Century Learners resource Teaching for Dialogue with the 4Cs.