Notes from the Field: Philosophy for Children and Art Workshops

Abstract

The authors' paths crossed seven years ago when they had recently adopted the P4C (Philosophy for Children) method as philosophy teachers. Their shared enthusiasm for P4C resulted in collaborative development and facilitation of different workshops. These programs were specifically tailored for children aged 7-10, particularly those residing in underserved areas. After depleting the widely available stimuli resources in their workshops, they soon found themselves in need of fresh material. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while conducting online workshops, the authors recognized the potential effectiveness of utilizing visual stimuli. In each session they used a work of art as a stimulus to initiate an inquiry using P4C methods. This realization prompted them to explore the realm of visual arts. Subsequently, they underwent an extensive preparatory phase, meticulously selecting works of art for the projects and conducting in-depth research on them. In this article, the authors aim to elucidate the rationale behind and advantages of employing works of art. Toward the conclusion of the discussion, the authors have included a practical application as an illustrative example.