Handbook for primary and secondary school teachers “P4C – PHILOSOPHY FOR CHILDREN: Methods of learning and teaching to improve critical thinking” by authors Elmana Cerić, Melika Šahinović and Sead S. Fetahagić is a result of the program SAPERE BIH which promotes and affirms philosophy for children as methods and approach in learning and teaching, with the aim of developing thinking skills, communication, as well as building self-confidence and improving the overall personality.
P4C or Philosophy for Children developed by Matthew Lipman, based on the Socratic method of questioning and the concept of the “community of philosophical questioning” (Community of Philosophical Inquiry) by John Dewey. Philosophy for children is a method of questioning based on thinking about philosophical / big questions and concepts, reflection and argumentation that lead to improving thinking skills, shaping and changing attitudes, cultivating questioning skills: critical, creative, collaborative and caring / empathetic thinking. often uses the English abbreviation 4C (critical, creative, collaborative, caring). This handbook is intended for teachers working in primary and secondary schools, as well as pedagogues and other school workers.
It offers simple instructions, rules, suggestions and explanations that can be used in the preparation and implementation of classes in order to achieve greater efficiency and success in the intellectual, emotional and social development of each child. In order to improve educational programs in BiH, through the integration of the philosophy method for children in the promotion of critical thinking in children and youth, the TPO Foundation has designed a program of teacher education and materials in the Bosnian language.
This handbook will, above all, help teachers to develop the capacities and methods of work in transmitting the material of the curriculum, as well as to support students in the development of critical thinking.
