Children as Philosophers, Joanna Haynes, 2002, Routledge, £19.99

A very accessible, comprehensive and practical guide to Philosophy for Children, this book discusses the interesting and topical premise of the development of a philosophical educational foundation for children's thinking at an early age. It argues for the right of a child to review ideas and express their beliefs in dialogue with others. This broadens a child's thinking, speaking and listening skills across the whole curriculum. The book offers a structure for moral enquiry within the PSHE/Citizenship curriculum. It discusses the pleasures and challenges for adults in managing open-ended classroom discussion and facing children's claims to knowledge in the philosophical arena. The author illustrates, with the aid of case studies, the content of a social and moral curriculum, the role of the teacher and the development of disciplined enquiry as an essential component in schooling.

Thinking Together, Philip Cam, 1995, Hale & Iremonger, £12.99

A handbook which shows how story-based material can be used to help children raise philosophical puzzles and problems that will set them thinking. It shows how to build a community of inquiry in the classroom, and how to use questioning techniques, group discussion, and other activities to develop thinking skills and concepts that can be applied across the primary school curriculum.

Teaching Thinking, Robert Fisher, 2003, Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd, £16.99

This sourcebook of ideas is designed to promote understanding and engagement in philosophical enquiry with children. It illustrates how philosophical discussion can help promote critical thinking as well as the moral and social values essential for citizenship in a democratic society. 

Global Citizenship: The Handbook for Primary Teaching, Mary Young, Oxfam, 2002, £25

This handbook explains the term "global citizenship" and develops its guiding principles into clear, practical pointers for use in school. By discussing the issues, ideas, and approaches in this handbook, users will be able to explore and develop their own understanding of global citizenship and bring its concepts into all their educational practice, through every subject area, into assemblies and across the whole school. Global citizenship is not an additional subject, but a way of teaching the existing curriculum which promotes social justice and equity.The book should be a valuable tool for classroom teachers, head teachers, teacher educators, student teachers, home school educators, non-teaching staff, governors and parents. This handbook is also ideal for PSHE co-ordinators and members of staff who are interested in finding out how to include a citizenship perspective in their teaching. The book is packed with discussion points, issues, ideas and approaches for practical citizenship teaching. All of the worksheets and extracts are photocopiable.

Get Global! A skills-based approach to active global citizenship, Action Aid, 2003, £15

An excellent activity book and video which provides a wealth of activities for taking pupils throught the steps towards taking action on local and global issues that concern them. Recommended for citizenship at KS3 and KS4 but ideas could also be used in the Primary classroom.

All of these recommended resources and others are available from the DECSY Resource Centre.

Intro | Project | Dobcroft J | Stimuli | Recommended Reading | Training