Think and Ride

Well, it isn't explicitly about children's philosophy, but I think this article does drive home the idea that great thought doesn't have to happen in an academic setting. All of us, including children, spend a great deal of time doing menial things, like commuting, or cutting the grass, or washing the dishes. It's often through routine tasks like these that we get five or ten precious minutes of quiet to actually think about nothing in particular, and these moments present a rare opportunity to ponder the mysteries of the universe. Just as I firmly believe that Sartre, Aristotle and Rand belong in conversations with little people, I believe that there's room for them in our own daily tasks as well.

We'll never get the opportunity to chat with Gandhi on a crowded city bus, but...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8117567.stm

Coming Events!

• Diversity matters! Learn about the many species that share our planet, and discuss ways to keep them happy and healthy. Visit Amy and POWER at the Georgetown Market place on Friday, May 29 from 4-8 for demonstrations and information.
• Adults need philosophy too! Step into big ideas and discuss our place in the ecosystem at POWER Halton Hills on Thursday, June 25 from 7 to 9 pm. Email amy@enabletc.com or call (905) 864-1858 x3 for details.
• Kids care about the environment! Join us for a children's eco-philosophy workshop at POWER Halton Hills on July 16 from 10-11:30 am. Email amy@enabletc.com or call (905) 864-1858 x3 for more details.

Robots are people too...or are they?

"Animated and Automated", a series of philosophy activities for young thinkers curious about our mechanical friends, is now posted at http://www.kidsthinkaboutit.com/Curriculum. Check it out!

Beauty From a Shorter Perspective

Little thinkers may not know (or care) about Aristotelian ideals of art, but as the saying goes, they definitely "know what they like". Unafraid to voice their opinions, and unburdened by the prejudices we grow into as adults, they may actually school their parents and teachers on the virtues of creativity and innovation. With tiny thinkers in tow, a trip to any local art gallery can be turned into a philosophy lesson in aesthetics. Here are some suggestions:

• Choose a small room in the gallery, stand in the middle, and have your kid thinkers choose their favourite piece. Ask them to explain what they like about the piece, and make sure they're specific. Be sure to distinguish between features of the actual piece (colour, shape, etc.), and how it makes them feel.
• Have them pretend that they are the artist that created the piece, and ask them to explain its message. They can also role play, and describe how they were feeling on the day it was created, and what they were trying to say to people viewing the piece.
• Make comparisons between pieces. Ask your little thinker to find one piece that is beautiful, one that it ugly and one that is interesting. Discuss what each of these words means to them. (Ex. This painting is beautiful because...but this one is ugly because...)
• Introduce the idea of subjectivity to them. Ask them to choose a piece that they like today, but that they might not like another day, if they were in a different mood. (Ex. On a grumpy day, I might like this one better because...)
• Emphasize that there aren't right and wrong answers when discussing art. The important thing is that they explain why they think the way they do, and give examples.

A Big Thank You!

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.

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/.