Research article | Open Access
International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications 2025, Vol. 16(2) 131-148
Evaluation of Philosophy for Children (P4C) Practices in Preschool Education According to Teachers’ and Academics’ Opinions
pp. 131 - 148
Publish Date: December 31, 2025 | Single/Total View: 0/0 | Single/Total Download: 0/0
Abstract
The aim of the Philosophy for Children (P4C) education program, designed to structure preschool curricula on a philosophical basis, is to foster students’ attentive, critical, creative, and higher-order thinking skills through collaboration. This research was carried out to evaluate the implementation of Philosophy for Children (P4C) in preschool education through the perspectives of teachers and academicians, employing a case study design as part of qualitative research methods. The participants of the study were selected with the purposive sampling method, who were officially registered for the P4C application and content development training for children organized at Bursa Uludağ University in the fall semester of 2022-2023 and who received training in different periods, and teachers from different regions of Turkey and academicians who were knowledgeable about the application. The research was conducted with 26 teachers and 11 academicians. The opinions of teachers and academicians regarding P4C applications were collected with semi-structured interview forms. Data were analyzed using content analysis with the MAXQDA software. The findings indicated that the P4C approach helps preschool children develop higher-order thinking skills, empathy, self-expression, 21st-century skills, and problem-solving abilities by supporting children’s holistic development. All participants agreed that P4C practices should be effectively incorporated into preschool curricula.
Keywords: Preschool Curriculum, Philosophical-Based Teaching, Philosophy for Children
APA 7th edition
ERKOL, E.D., & DINCER, B. (2025). Evaluation of Philosophy for Children (P4C) Practices in Preschool Education According to Teachers’ and Academics’ Opinions. International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications, 16(2), 131-148.
Harvard
ERKOL, E. and DINCER, B. (2025). Evaluation of Philosophy for Children (P4C) Practices in Preschool Education According to Teachers’ and Academics’ Opinions. International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications, 16(2), pp. 131-148.
Chicago 16th edition
ERKOL, Esra Duygu and Beste DINCER (2025). "Evaluation of Philosophy for Children (P4C) Practices in Preschool Education According to Teachers’ and Academics’ Opinions". International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications 16 (2):131-148.
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