Effectiveness of Philosophy for Children (P4C) Education on Enhancing Processing Speed and Problem-Solving in Elementary Students

Authors

    Shabnam Rashidzadeh * Master's degree, Department of General Psychology, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz,Iran Iranshabnamrashidzadeh@yahoo.com
    Fehimeh Timajchi Master's degree, Department of Educational Psychology, Research Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
    Atlas Karamroodi PhD Student, Department of Specialized Psychology, Research Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
    Nastaran Riyazi PhD, Department of Health Psychology, International Branch, Payam Noor University, Nakhchivan, Iran
    Mina Eshrati Master's degree, Department of General Psychology, Qods City Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qods, Tehran, Iran
    Mehdi Janbaz PhD Student, Department of Exceptional Child Psychology, Research Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Keywords:

Teaching Philosophy for Children (P4C), Processing Speed, Problem Solving

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Philosophy for Children (P4C) education on enhancing processing speed and problem-solving in elementary students.

Methodology: This research is applied in terms of its objective, and from the perspective of data collection and processing method, it is considered experimental. It was implemented using a quasi-experimental intergroup design with a pre-test and post-test along with a control group. The statistical population included all male elementary students in District 3 of the Tehran Department of Education during the 2024–2025 academic year. From this population, 30 students were randomly and voluntarily selected, with 15 placed in the experimental group and 15 in the control group. The experimental group received Philosophy for Children (P4C) training, and participants were purposefully selected based on pre-test scores and randomly assigned to each group. The instruments used included the Philosophy for Children training package and the Processing Speed Questionnaire (Sa’adati Shamir, 2022) and Problem-Solving Questionnaire (Sa’adati Shamir, 2022), which were employed to measure processing speed and problem-solving ability, respectively.

Findings: The results of the covariance analysis indicated that Philosophy for Children education had a significant effect on increasing processing speed and problem-solving in elementary students.

Conclusion: Accordingly, P4C training improved students' reasoning and analytical abilities, as well as the speed of cognitive and verbal sequences and processing in elementary school students.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abdollahpour, R., Sarmadi, M. R., Biranvand, Z., & Seifi, M. (2019). The Effect of Philosophy for Children (P4C) Program on Students' Moral Attitude and Its Explanation According to the Quran. Research in Islamic Education Issues, 27(43). https://www.sid.ir/paper/243392/fas

Cassidy, C. (2021). Philosophy With Children as and for Moral Education. 13-28. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-64180-4_2

Delbari, S. M., Seadatee Shamir, A., & Imani Naini, M. (2020). Philosophy of education for elementary children. The role of Social Intelligence. The role of Social Intelligence, 3(1), 189-202. https://doi.org/10.52547/ijes.3.1.189

Franzini Tibaldeo, R. (2023). Lipman and Sharp's Philosophical-Educational Vision. Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24148-2_3

Gooran Savadkohi, L., Kamyabi, M., & Saadati Shamir, A. (2023). The Effectiveness of Metacognitive Skills Training on Increasing the Fluid Intelligence of First Secondary Students. Sociology of Education, 9(1), 424-440. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijes.2024.2012724.1476

Gur, C. (2011). International Conference on Education and Educational Psychology (ICEEPSY 2010) Philosophy in the early years. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 12, 501-511. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042811001522

Hooshmandi, f., Shamshiri, B., & Abroshannt, h. (2020). The Effect of Pedagogical Approach of Philosophy for Children on the Questioning in Science Course (The Case: First Grade Elementary School Students). Educational and Scholastic studies, 9(1), 171-192. https://pma.cfu.ac.ir/article_1211.html

Kanani Harandi, S., Nourian, M., Noroozi, D., & Abaei Koopaei, M. (2021). The effect of philosophy for children curriculum on the growth of students' creativity. Thinking and Children, 12(1), 203-230. https://doi.org/10.30465/fabak.2021.6232

Lipman, M. (2009). Philosophy for Children and Adolescents: A New Approach in Educational Philosophy. Culture Quarterly, 22(1), 151-175. https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&sca_esv=6f4cffb8fcc6cffb&rlz=1C1SQJL_enIR1032IR1032&sxsrf=AHTn8zocOM4CxeLFvR3-v-3vT3WYZLznbg:1746901645866&q=Philosophy+for+Children+Matthew+Lipman&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgFuLUz9U3SDFMiTdR4tFP1zc0NDExzjPMytOSyk620k_Kz8_WTywtycgvsgKxixXy83IqF7GqBWRk5uQX5xdkVCqk5RcpOAO5KUWpeQq-iSUlGanlCj6ZBbmJeTtYGQGJaPRmYwAAAA&ved=2ahUKEwjd0rzgw5mNAxVJ9LsIHQgMORUQgOQBegQISBAG&biw=1366&bih=607&dpr=1

Mahmoudi, S. N. (2021). Designing a situational creativity model based on a reflective education approach (Case Study: Philosophy for Children Program). Childhood and Thinking, 12(1), 289-317. https://doi.org/10.30465/fabak.2021.6236

Makaiau, A. S. (2015). The Philosophy for Children Hawai 'i Approach to Deliberative Pedagogy: A Promising Practice for Preparing Pre Service Social Studies Teachers in the College of Education. Analyctic teaching and philosophical praxisVL - 36(16). https://p4chawaii.org/wp-content/uploads/965-1-1497-3-10-20160307.pdf

Michaud, O., & gregory, M. R. (2022). Philosophy for Children as a Form of Spiritual Education. Childhood & Philosophy, 18, 01-24. https://doi.org/10.12957/childphilo.2022.69865

Mohammadi, G., Pirani, Z., & Zangeneh Motlag, Firoozeh. (2023). A Comparison of the Effectiveness of the Philosophy for Children Program and Group Play Therapy with Cognitive-Behavioral Method on Psychological Flexibility in Children with Separation Anxiety Disorder. Thinking and Children, 13(2), 215-239. https://doi.org/10.30465/fabak.2023.7563

Ndofirepi, A. P. (2012). Quality Education in Africa: Introducing Philosophy for Children to Promote Open-Mindedness. Africa Education Review, 9(sup1), S26-S40. https://doi.org/10.1080/18146627.2012.755242

Oliveira, J. R. D. (2023). Matthew Lipman and Ann Margaret Sharp. Philosophy for Children's Educational Revolution. Roberto Franzini Tibaldeo, Springer. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131857.2023.2244151

Pala, F. (2022). The Effect of Philosophy Education for Children (P4C) on Students' Conceptual Achievement and Critical Thinking Skills: A Mixed Method Research. Education Quarterly Reviews, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.31014/aior.1993.05.03.522

Safriyani, R., & Mustofa, A. (2021). Promoting Philosophy for Children (P4C) in Teaching Reading. English Teaching Journal a Journal of English Literature Language and Education, 9(2), 120. https://doi.org/10.25273/etj.v9i2.10948

Seadatee Shamir, A., & Zainab Zahamatkesh, Y. (2022). Introducing a test: construction and standardization of the first version of Maher Multifunctional Fluid Intelligence Test (MMFIT) for children age 7 to 9 years old [Research]. Early Childhood Health And Education, 3(2), 57-84. http://jeche.ir/article-1-85-en.html

Siddiqui, N., Gorard, S., & See, B. H. (2019). Can programmes like Philosophy for Children help schools to look beyond academic attainment? Educational Review, 71(2), 146-165. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2017.1400948

Vansieleghem, N., & Kennedy, D. (2011). What Is Philosophy for Children, What Is Philosophy With Children-After Matthew Lipman? Journal of Philosophy of Education, 45(2), 171-182. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9752.2011.00801.x

Ye, Y. H., & Shih, Y.-H. (2021). Development of John Dewey’s Educational Philosophy and Its Implications for Children’s Education. Policy Futures in Education, 19(8), 877-890. https://doi.org/10.1177/1478210320987678

Zare, R., Taklavi, S., & Ghaffari, A. (2022). The Effectiveness of the Children Philosophy Education on Self-determination and Responsibility of the Elementary Students [Research]. Rooyesh-e-Ravanshenasi Journal(RRJ), 10(12), 37-48. http://frooyesh.ir/article-1-3265-en.html

Zarraii Zavaraki, E., Kabiri, A., Hgaedi, Y., Delavar, A., & Nili Ahmadabadi, M. (2021). Design and Validation of an Educational Model for the Application of Technology in Philosophy Program for Children for Gifted Students. Psychology of Exceptional Individuals, 11(41), 1-45. https://jpe.atu.ac.ir/article_12892_en.html

Zulkifli, H., & Hashim, R. (2020). Philosophy for children (P4C) in improving critical thinking in a secondary moral education class. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 19(2), 29-45. http://ijlter.myres.net/index.php/ijlter/article/view/431

Downloads

Published

2025-10-06

Submitted

2025-03-23

Revised

2025-06-06

Accepted

2025-06-15

How to Cite

Rashidzadeh, S., Timajchi, F. ., Karamroodi, A. ., Riyazi, N., Eshrati, M. ., & Janbaz, M. . (1404). Effectiveness of Philosophy for Children (P4C) Education on Enhancing Processing Speed and Problem-Solving in Elementary Students. Sociology of Education, 11(3). https://jedusocio.com/index.php/se/article/view/558

Similar Articles

1-10 of 177

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.