Our very last post for the PEPELT project comes from me (Anneta). In this final post, I move away from my usual practical approach to highlighting language and instead look at  children’s holistic development through a philosophical lens. In this film I suggests using the following philosophical questions (and many more!) with the picturebooks she revisited:

– What is the role of creativity in human experience?

– How do we cope with the ever-changing nature of life?

– What is the nature of happiness?

– What binds us together as human beings?

– What is time and how do we experience it?

– What is hope and why is it important?

These are big questions for little people, but children have many answers to give. Can you guess which question belongs to which picturebook?

Rain before rainbows’ by Smrity Halls and David Litchfield (Walker Books, 2020) shared in October 2020Read More
‘Waiting’ by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow Books, 2015), shared as an award-winning picturebook in February 2022Read More
‘Pass it on’ by Sophy Henn (Puffin, 2016) shared under the theme of positivity in picturebooks in June 2022Read More
‘Goodbye friend, hello friend’ by Cori Doerrfeld (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2019), shared during a PEPELT Chat in October 2022Read More
‘Fox on the swing’ by Evelina Daciute and Austra Kiudulaite (Thames & Hudson, 2018) shared during a month on translated picturebooks in March 2022Read More
‘If…’ by Sarah Perry (J.Paul Getty Museum, 1995), shared for the theme philosophy and picturebooks in November 2020Read More

Watch the very last PEPELT film and find out – enjoy this phenomenal philosophical experience with Anneta!

As Sandie commented this film offers a great retrospective highlighting the essence of PEPELT – the importance of children’s holistic development. Anneta’s approach made her think of Robert Fisher’s work on Philosophy in Primary Schools and how incorporating philosophical discussion with children enriches their learning and thinking skills. It is Ss important too that you emphasise that this is a gradual process and what a unique opportunity and privilege for Anneta’s pupils that they have been able to experience this continuity with her from age 6 to 13! Both Sandie and Tatia agree that it is so important that we educators make time to talk to children, give them time to think and listen to their responses, and respect individual differences. Daniel Pennac’s work (1992) reminds us of our right to read anything, anywhere, anytime, so long as we are enjoying ourselves