ABSTRACT
To teach in a dialogic way means that at the same time as children learn conceptual knowledge they also learn how to be better at dialogue. Dialogic education therefore means education for dialogue as well as education through dialogue. To be more dialogic means to be more open to learning. The dialogic theory of education claims that understanding a new concept is like getting to know a new person. The research evidence for the value of dialogic education is very strong. Better dialogue can be taught, and when dialogue is taught then results improve on a range of measures, including measures of learning in maths, science and literacy. Philosophy for Children is one dialogic approach to education, aiming at developing dialogue in the form of ‘philosophical discussion’, which involves students becoming more willing and able to ask questions, construct arguments and engage in reasoned debate. The chapter also presents an overview on the key concepts discussed in this book.
