Integration of Philosophy for Children in Philippine Kinder Garten

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

This paper aims to promote the integration of Philosophy for Children in Philippine Kinder Education. Philosophy in the Philippines is viewed to be an abstract field of discipline, given the least importance in basic education and even in higher education. Compared to other countries like Europe and America, Philosophy for Children has been integrated into the pre-school curriculum. With regards to the Philippines Education, the role of philosophy has been disregarded. This paper explores the local stories in the municipality and how philosophy can be integrated into the discussion. At the same time, the local stories will be making students aware of such stories as well and not just the foreign stories will be highlighted. The paper explores the ethics of the local stories among students.

METHODS

Multiple methods were used in this paper, grounded by Philosophy for children by Lipmann. Data are gathered through class observation and integration of P4C in teaching literacy among kinder.

RESULTS

Through Philosophy for children, students will be exposed in various situations that will test their ethics. In this way, they will be equipped and be prepared to face the dilemma of society in the future. As mentioned above, the researcher would like to exemplify the integration of Philosophy for Children through the use of local folklore in Batangas. Wherein students' ethics will be tested, and their knowledge of the local literature will be enhanced as well. Furthermore, this research wants to pave the way for Philosophy for Children to be included in the curriculum of the Philippine education system from basic education to higher education. In doing so, the researcher would like to explore the integration of Philosophy for Children in Kindergarten through the lens of ethics and morals of local folklore, guided by the following points: 1. Ethics 2. Local Folklore 3. P4C 4. Philosophy for Children to promote ethics through folklore.

DISCUSSIONS

The paper would hence recommend that in order to integrate Philosophy for Children in the kinder, the education system must inculcate P4C in promoting ethics. The educational system can make teaching P4C relevant to students through localization. Even though philosophy in the Philippines is greatly influenced by western philosophers, the teacher can contextualize it by using local stories. Making it more relevant to students and easier to relate to.