Philosophical inquiry with 5-7 year olds: ‘my new thinking friends’

This paper reports on a small-scale qualitative study, using philosophical inquiry in Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 (5 – 7 year old children). The study involved a one hour per week session of philosophical inquiry in one primary school; ‘Philosophy Club’, with eight children taking part for six weeks. Data collected include researcher observations, children’s drawings, photographs, parent questionnaires and feedback from school staff, which are presented as a series of ‘scrapbook’ vignettes. Data analysis focused on themes from across the data, and in this paper these are reported with particular reference to children’s views on Philosophy Club as a space to think with their friends, and changing perceptions of club members over the six week period. Conclusions are drawn tentatively on the benefits of philosophical inquiry clubs for building community and friendship with younger children, particularly in the wake of COVID-19 and potential gaps in social experience in their early years.