Kids Can Think: Philosophical Challenges for the Classroom [Paperback]

Kids Can Think aims to bring the richness of philosophical thinking into the classroom. It invites teachers to think about the value of such thinking in the modern world, where children have to understand and evaluate ever more complex and challenging ideas. This book includes simple, practical ideas that can be implemented with ease and that will promote and inspire a culture of thinking in classrooms. Teachers and their pupils are presented with a series of scenarios introduced by short narrative texts that explore philosophical themes relating to the self, everyday life, and the universe beyond, and questions that can be tackled by anyone from the young novice to the university professor. Kids Can Think provides many ideas and suggestions for thinking activities throughout that will encourage children to develop their logic and spark a desire to probe into ideas that fascinate inquiring minds.Ron Gilmore has been an educator for over 25 years. He originally trained as a psychologist before entering the teaching profession, where he has worked in international schools in the Middle East and Europe. Fascinated by the ways in which children think about and process complex ideas, he has run many informal workshops where he explores philosophical ideas with children.

Kids Can Think is an important contribution to the growing literature aimed at helping teachers introduce philosophy to young children. Clearly written, this book is full of interesting strategies for getting children to think more deeply about themselves and the world they live in. Thomas Wartenberg, Professor of Philosophy, Mt. Holyoke College

Kids Can Think includes some great ideas to help pupils develop philosophical thinking skills that are transferable across the curriculum. In it you will find a range of topics to fascinate and interest inquiring minds from young to old with many ideas to create thought provoking, lively discussions. I highly recommended the book. James Nottingham,l³Ð