Children Philosophical Inquiry

With the popularization of “Philosophy for Children” in the world, MainlandChina also gradually introduced “Philosophy for Children”. Due to the novelty,originality and the positive impact on students,“Philosophy for Children” has becomethe focus of researchers as well as primary and secondary schools. The study of“Philosophy for Children” still focused on theoretical levels at present, such as theconcept, development, and significance of it. Although many primary and secondaryschools have tried to carry out the courses, few of them have made “Philosophy forChildren” a sound curriculum system on textbooks, curricula, and teaching methods.Firstly, this paper has argued the possibility and necessity of “Philosophy forChildren” as well as curricula, textbooks and teaching methods from the theoreticallevel. Secondly, this paper has made introduction and commentary on a typical casewhich has been studying and practicing “Philosophy for Children” for many yearsfrom the practical level. Thus, we will see the development of “Philosophy forChildren” in primary and secondary schools in China. Finally, with the famousforeign philosophy enlightening books for children or the works of children’sliterature as textbooks and the lower elementary students in Shanghai as teachingobjects, I have tried to open three classes to test the possibility and necessity of“Philosophy for Children”.The results have found that the philosophy enlightening books for children orworks of children’s literature are appropriate materials. Besides, as fundamentalapproaches to the study of philosophy, question, discussion, dialogue and reflectionare undoubtedly the best ways for teaching. In class, students speak enthusiasticallyand think deeply and widely, their thinking and speaking can reach the height ofphilosophers sometimes, which shows the children have the ability to learnphilosophy and it is meaningful for them to learn philosophy. I hope that these resultswill give some advice for researchers, schools and teachers as well.Comprehensive and healthy children are essential for social development.Therefore, exploring the theory and practice of “Philosophy for Children” is of socialsignificance and application values for the development of children as well as thesociety.