Philosophy for Children
Children are given the opportunity to reflect upon their thoughts and to practice their thinking by dialogue. The facilitator should be an expert in motivating the children to reflect upon relevant issues that occur during their discussion. Extremely helpful is to have a wide and deep knowledge of philosophy as practiced by various philosophers through the history of thought.
While the children express themselves mainly by means of the spoken word, they are also encouraged to express themselves by other means of communication; graphic arts, music, drama, etc..
Philosophy for Children is an international movement started by the American philosopher and educator Matthew Lipman in 1969 and developed with caring spirit by Ann Margaret Sharp.
Below is Matthew Lipman's Chronology, abridged from Natasha: Vygotskian Dialogues, 1996.
| 1969 |
Matthew Lipman starts writing Harry Stottlemeier's Discovery (for ages 11-12). |
| 1974 |
The Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children (IAPC) established at Montclair State College (now Montclair State University). Harry Stottlemeier's Discovery published by IAPC. |
| 1976 |
Philosophical Inquiry, the instructional manual to accompany Harry Stottlemeier's Discovery published by IAPC. Lisa, an ethics reader for children (for ages 14-15) published by IAPC. |
| 1977 |
Ethical Inquiry, instructional manual to accompany Lisa, published by IAPC. Philosophy in the Classroom published by IAPC. |
| 1978 |
Growing up with Philosophy published by Temple University Press. Suki (for ages 14-15) published by IAPC. |
| 1979 |
Publication of Vol. 1, No. 1 of Thinking: The Journal of Philosophy for Children. |
| 1980 |
Social Inquiry, manual to accompany Mark. Philosophy in the Classroom published by Temple University Press. Writing: How and Why, manual to accompany Suki published by IAPC. |
| 1981 | Pixie published by IAPC. |
| 1982 |
Looking for Meaning, instructional manual to accompany Pixie published by IAPC. Kio and Gus published by IAPC. |
| 1983 |
Talking with Children by Ronald Reed published by Arden Press. |
| 1984 | New Jersey Test of Reasoning published by IAPC. |
| 1985 |
Philosophical Adventures with Children by Mihael Pritchard published by University Press of America. ICPIC founded in Denmark. Master's Program in Teaching Philosophy to Children begins at Montclair State College. |
| 1986 | Wondering at the World, instructional Manual to Accompany Kio and Gus published by IAPC. |
| 1987 | Elfie published by IAPC |
| 1988 |
Getting Our Thoughts Together, instructional Manual to Accompany Elfie published by IAPC. Philosophy Goes to School published by Temple University Press. Institute for Critical Thinking established at Montclair State College. |
| 1990 | BBC produces Socrates for Six-Year-Olds, a one-hour film on Philosophy for Children. |
| 1991 | Thinking in Education published by Cambridge University Press. |
| 1992 | Studies in Philosophy for Children: Harry Stottlemeier's Discovery by Temple University Press. |
| 1993 |
Thinking Children and Education published by Kendall/Hunt. Thinking Stories, Vol. 1, edited by Phil Cam |
| 1994 |
Thinking Stories, Vol. 2, edited by Phil Cam The Philosophy of Childhood by Gareth Matthews published by Harvard University Press. |
| 1995 | Montclair State College becomes Montclair State University |
| 1996 | Natasha: Vygotskian Dialogues published by Cambridge University Press. |