Little Philosophers- the new Influencers

<< Background >>The project Little Philosophers was inspired by the recognition that in today's society:• Teachers need to prepare children for future roles based on knowledge.• Schools aim to develop problem-solving skills to tackle complex challenges.• 21st-century citizens must extract essential information, generate innovative ideas, and make quick decisions.By adopting philosophy-based investigative learning, the project aims to achieve two goals: develop philosophical knowledge and encourage investigation, using a knowledge taxonomy derived from Benjamin Bloom's 1956 model, influenced by Matthew LipmanMatthew Lipman's work in Philosophy for Children.Given the rapid progress of artificial intelligence since the project's inception, there is an urgent need to equip young minds with critical thinking tools, resistant to delegating reasoning to statistical algorithms.The development of philosophical knowledge focuses on four main branches:. Metaphysics (reality). Epistemology (knowledge). Aesthetics (what is beautiful?). Ethics (values)<< Objectives >>In essence, the project sought to transform philosophical education, making it comprehensive, technologically integrated, linguistically accessible, and instrumental in preparing young minds for the challenges of the modern worldThe project is inspired by the necessity to integrate Philosophy into school curricula, drawing from the work of Matthew Lipman, the founder of Philosophy for Children (P4C). Recognizing the value of philosophical inquiry for students as young as 10 years old, the project aims to enhance their logical skills.While some European countries have made limited efforts to promote philosophical inquiry, there's a lack of comprehensive and localized material, particularly for students aged 10-14. The Little Philosophers project aims to fill this gap through innovative tools like Augmented Reality Books and serious games.In a constantly evolving world marked by crises, children, although adaptable to new technologies, are exposed to potentially harmful content. Their vulnerability, stemming from a lack of experience, underscores the urgent need for effective tools to enhance their logical skills on a global scale.<< Implementation >>The project consisted of three main components:1.Activities:• Project management• Quality management• ICTs and innovation management• Dissemination• Training activity management Each activity was led by a specific partner based on their expertise2. Project Results:R1: Guidebook development in Eng, Fr, Gr & LtR2: Augmented reality and e-books creation in Eng, Fr, GrR3: Philosophical narratives development in Eng, Fr, GrR4: Lesson plans development in Eng, Fr, GrR5: Digital serious game creation in Eng, Fr, Gr3. Multiplier Events and DisseminationThe Multiplier events that were held in Fra, Cyp, and Gre• Engaged 110 participants, including university departments, civil society partners, schools, educators, and policymakers• Aimed to present project results to the wider publicThe project dissemination involved partners sharing project results on social media, creating dedicated accounts, and utilizing platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Information reached over 6,000 through newsletters and about 24,000 through the Network for Children's Rights Facebook account. Partners also showcased the project on their websites, and during a multiplier event, over 450 stakeholders were informed about the project<< Results >>Creation of a unique philosophical approach for 10-14-year-olds and educators reframes philosophy as a socio-cultural product, integrating narratives, technology, and a serious game. Educators gain diverse pedagogical methods and interdisciplinary best practices, fostering skills like Logic, Reasoning, Creative, and Caring Thinking. The initiative introduces digital tools like augmented books, e-books, and serious games for contemporary, tailored materials, addressing specific educational needs and goalsIntangible Results for Educators:• Supplying a guidebook with emphasis on introducing philosophical inquiry at age 10• Granting access to interactive electronic materials as open educational resources• Introducing an engaging approach for involving children in philosophical inquiries• Enriching educators' pedagogical expertise through new tools and best practices exchangeFor Students:• Encouraging empathy, open-mindedness, and intercultural dialogues for meaningful debates• Providing captivating resources for delving into philosophical knowledge• Elevating academic performance through essential skills like creative and critical thinking• Cultivating caring thinking through participation in the serious game