This year's March Break workshops at the Toronto School of Philosophy were a blast! Many thanks to the staff at the school, and to the parents and students who participated. Be sure to check out our nifty photo gallery at www.kidsthinkaboutit.com.
More events are in the works, so keep your ear to the ground. If you are interested in participating, or setting up your own workshop in a classroom, community group, or for a special occasion, send us a message at amy@enabletc.com.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Calling All Great Young Thinkers!
Coming this March Break to beautiful downtown Toronto: philosophy workshops for kids! For more information, email Amy at amy@enabletc.com or call (905) 864-1858 x2.
New Members of "The Creative Class"
We're all tapping our feet nervously, hoping to see our economy show signs of picking up sooner than later. While we're trying to stretch every dollar as far as possible, it's important to view this situation with "philosopher vision", as an opportunity to reevaluate what we've taken for granted, and examine our values with a critical eye.
According to Richard Florida of the University of Toronto, the capacity to think creatively and innovatively is no longer just a novelty- it's a survival skill, both for individuals and for societies. Florida attributes revolutionary creations like Google to the emergence of a new breed of thinker, one who isn't afraid to break new ground and approach obstacles with a fresh perspective. This new "Creative Class" might not pull us from our economic slump tomorrow, but according to Florida, it's the best long-term solution.
At this moment, the next generation of creative, critical thinkers is learning to tie its shoes and pour juice without spilling. If you thought it was too early to really put your child's spongy, absorbent little brain in the way of big ideas, think again. They will undoubtedly surprise you with their ability to "colour outside the lines", but they'll also reach puberty with an incredible cognitive arsenal at their fingertips. Philosophy has long been turning out revolutionary minds, and your wee thinker could be the one to turn out the next pivotal idea.
For more information on Richard Florida's "Creative Class", visit http://www.creativeclass.com/.
According to Richard Florida of the University of Toronto, the capacity to think creatively and innovatively is no longer just a novelty- it's a survival skill, both for individuals and for societies. Florida attributes revolutionary creations like Google to the emergence of a new breed of thinker, one who isn't afraid to break new ground and approach obstacles with a fresh perspective. This new "Creative Class" might not pull us from our economic slump tomorrow, but according to Florida, it's the best long-term solution.
At this moment, the next generation of creative, critical thinkers is learning to tie its shoes and pour juice without spilling. If you thought it was too early to really put your child's spongy, absorbent little brain in the way of big ideas, think again. They will undoubtedly surprise you with their ability to "colour outside the lines", but they'll also reach puberty with an incredible cognitive arsenal at their fingertips. Philosophy has long been turning out revolutionary minds, and your wee thinker could be the one to turn out the next pivotal idea.
For more information on Richard Florida's "Creative Class", visit http://www.creativeclass.com/.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Sitting on a Gold Mine: Kid-Friendly Philosophy Resources
A five-year-old may find Plato's toga and sandals highly amusing, but they're not likely sit still while their parents read bedtime tales from " The Republic". Luckily, there's no shortage of books, movies and other materials that are both fun and informative, philosophically speaking. In addition to having wonderful, spongy little minds, children usually have their own personal stash of useful media.
For example, while on a flight this Christmas, I took myself down memory lane and watched Disney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". Amidst dancing gargoyles and villagers bursting into song, the man-monster distinction took centre stage. In addition to being a two-hour diversion, it could also have been a great opportunity to discuss human identity and ethics.
Virtually any favourite book or television episode can be turned into a lesson in deep thought, and it doesn't have to be heavy or tedious. Dr. Seuss, Winnie the Pooh, and Robert Munsch fit the bill nicely, as does any superhero comic, or science fiction flick. What turns kid stuff into philosophy is a little bit of reflection. Simple questions like "What did you think of that idea?" or "Do you believe that could really happen?" or "If you were that person, would you do that?" are often enough to generate discussion, and being able to use their favourite stories as examples can be incredibly enpowering for a little person.
As if kids need another excuse to watch cartoons...
For example, while on a flight this Christmas, I took myself down memory lane and watched Disney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". Amidst dancing gargoyles and villagers bursting into song, the man-monster distinction took centre stage. In addition to being a two-hour diversion, it could also have been a great opportunity to discuss human identity and ethics.
Virtually any favourite book or television episode can be turned into a lesson in deep thought, and it doesn't have to be heavy or tedious. Dr. Seuss, Winnie the Pooh, and Robert Munsch fit the bill nicely, as does any superhero comic, or science fiction flick. What turns kid stuff into philosophy is a little bit of reflection. Simple questions like "What did you think of that idea?" or "Do you believe that could really happen?" or "If you were that person, would you do that?" are often enough to generate discussion, and being able to use their favourite stories as examples can be incredibly enpowering for a little person.
As if kids need another excuse to watch cartoons...
Friday, January 30, 2009
Got plans for March Break?
Coming this March Break to beautiful downtown Toronto: philosophy workshops for kids! For more information, email Amy at amy@enabletc.com or call (905) 864-1858 x2.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Philosophers as Characters
It's not difficult to see how philosophical inquiry itself can be beneficial to young thinkers, particularly since they seem to be so good at it on their own. However, as children also have a keen appreciation of personal histories and peculiar human quirks, it's also fun to introduce great thinkers as people too. Here are a few philosophers with interesting characteristics and habits.
- As a child, Rene Descartes drove his teachers crazy with questions. He was the kid with his hand perpetually in the air.
- Pythagoras refused to eat beans, fearing that they weaken his life force. Talk about a picky eater!
- Ayn Rand worked as an extra in Hollywood movies before becoming a novelist and philosopher.
- Immanual Kant was so punctual, his neighbours set their clocks by his morning walk.
- Plato annoyed his friends so much that they sold him into slavery to teach him a lesson. They bought him back a little later.
- Friedrich Nietzsche grew up as the only boy in a house full of women. He was raised by his mother, his sisters, his aunts and his grandmother.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Is Anything Off-Limits?
Adults who are new to philosophy are often shocked at the questions asked in this field of inquiry. Time and time again, I hear things like "I'd never even thought to ask about that." For grown-ups, there's a bizarre novelty in discussing things like the existence of God, good and evil, and proving that the world around us actually exists.
It's strange and ironic that we often assume that children are too young to tackle these questions. For a small thinker, these issues come up on a daily basis. When we're five or six, the nature of reality isn't just something we consider over drinks, but rather something we're faced with all day long. Right and wrong aren't easily grasped or consistent, and even our own identity as tiny humans is a puzzle. In short, while adults are busy asking whether they're ready to handle difficult questions, children are already busy working them out. And it's not traumatic for them either. It's just part of the landscape.
Go ahead! Ask a kid what makes animals different from humans, or whether babies can think before they can talk. Pour a couple glasses of chocolate milk and chat about time travel, or the value of honesty. In all likelihood, they'll reply "What took you so long?"
It's strange and ironic that we often assume that children are too young to tackle these questions. For a small thinker, these issues come up on a daily basis. When we're five or six, the nature of reality isn't just something we consider over drinks, but rather something we're faced with all day long. Right and wrong aren't easily grasped or consistent, and even our own identity as tiny humans is a puzzle. In short, while adults are busy asking whether they're ready to handle difficult questions, children are already busy working them out. And it's not traumatic for them either. It's just part of the landscape.
Go ahead! Ask a kid what makes animals different from humans, or whether babies can think before they can talk. Pour a couple glasses of chocolate milk and chat about time travel, or the value of honesty. In all likelihood, they'll reply "What took you so long?"
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