Philosophize with children in kindergarten

May 28, 2019

"What is a dream asks Jonas." Philosophize with children in kindergarten

1. Awake – dream – ask questions

The Chinese philosopher Dschuang Dse (approx. 370-280 BC) woke up one day and suddenly no longer knew whether he is Dschuang who dreams of being a butterfly or whether he is possibly a butterfly that dreams of To be jujang. Dschuang critically noted that there would certainly be a difference between the two (Dschuang Dse 1957, p. 15).

The French philosopher René Descartes (1596-1650) had similar problems. He sometimes had doubts as to whether he was really sitting by the fireplace and touching paper with his hands, or just dreaming of sitting by the fireplace and reading. Descartes was wondering at the fireplace why someone can be sure that he is awake and not only dreams of being awake?

Philosophize with children, the little thinkers

May 28, 2019

The little thinkers

Philosophize with children.

Philosophize with children

Children live in questions, adults live in answers, once said the Swiss author Peter Bichsel. Indeed, children are usually (still) much closer to the origin of philosophy than adults. This origin lies in amazement, in the curious questioning of what surrounds us. Children often ask early on who or what God is, where do animals get their names from, what comes after death or whether our life is just a dream. You are looking for answers to such questions – and thus to questions of philosophy.

9 Tips: philosophize with children

March 1, 2018

Together on a journey of discovery: 9 tips – philosophizing with children

"What is time?" "Why do we think?" Children want to understand the world, question things that are taken for granted by parents. Philosophizing with children starts with this thirst for knowledge, interests and desires – and strengthens their personality.

A guest contribution by children’s book author and philosopher Fabien van der Ham.

Of course, you talk to your child a lot. It’s good; Attention and interest are important. But at some point you may also come to a point where you ask yourself the following questions: Where can we always find new topics for discussion? What is more interesting than again: "How was school?"