Philosophizing Together: A Three-day Event on Doing Philosophy with Children

Attempts to support the development of philosophy in Irish schools have gained momentum in recent years. A big step in this direction has been the introduction of Philosophy as an official short course on the Junior Cycle (secondary level course) since September 2017. Indicative of the enthusiasm with which students and teachers have received the teaching of philosophy in schools is the immense success of the Irish Young Philosopher Awards festival.  The Irish Young Philosopher Awards Festival counts two years of existence with the number of participants doubling (350 finalists) in the 2019 festival.

Given the increasing interest of students and teachers in philosophizing, the time seems ripe for an event that will allow schoolteachers, academic philosophers and educationalists, to reflect, discuss and most of all put into practice methods of doing philosophy with children. Philosophizing Together is an event broken down in three days, each day approaching philosophy with children from a different perspective.

The first day will consist of a conference organized around the topic of The Present and the Future of Doing Philosophy with Children. The conference will bring together academic philosophers, educationalists and teachers with the aim of discussing 1) the importance of doing philosophy in schools, 2) the challenges that this initiative faces, 3) the future of doing philosophy with children.

The second day will be a day of practice. Schoolteachers from all over Ireland will be invited to participate in interactive workshops facilitated by philosophers and teachers experienced in doing philosophy with children. The second day aims at introducing schoolteachers, academics and people interested in the topic to practical methods of doing philosophy with children.

The third day will be a day focused on children. As part of UCD’s yearly Festival, the School of Philosophy will organize philosophical sessions, inquires, and activities that will introduce children to philosophical questioning and thinking.