Observation of Philosophy for Children Session Held

The session opened with an exercise in active listening. Individual pupils took turns sharing a topic of personal interest, after which their classmates identified and repeated the key facts they had heard. This warm‑up set the tone for careful attention, respectful dialogue, and accurate recall.

The class then moved into a discussion based on the story The Playground Puzzle, which explores themes of diversity, equality, equity, acceptance, and belonging. Working in pairs, pupils considered a series of open‑ended questions before sharing their reflections with the whole group. Jamie, a P7 pupil, acted as scribe, capturing the class’s ideas and arguments.

Visiting teachers joined the pupils' discussions, giving them the opportunity to hear pupils’ reasoning first-hand and to engage with their developing philosophical thinking. When discussing equality, the boys demonstrated a strong appreciation for the inherent worth of every person. Their conversation on difference was particularly striking: pupils agreed that variations in colour or race were of little consequence because, as one pupil put it, “we are all just humans.”

The concept of equity prompted further exploration, illustrated vividly by pupils imagining children of different heights trying to see over an imaginary fence — a simple but effective metaphor for why some individuals may need additional support. Seamus, another P7 pupil, offered a thoughtful contribution on self‑acceptance, emphasising the importance of “being happy to just be you,” no matter what abilities or gifts someone has.

Two pupils appointed as session observers concluded the lesson by sharing their feedback and personal takeaways, rounding off a thoughtful and engaging demonstration of philosophical inquiry in the classroom.

The PEACEPLUS ASPIRE project is led by the Education Authority in partnership with Léargas, Early Years – the organisation for young children, the National Childhood Network, and the Fermanagh Trust. The project is funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme administered by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).