China plans introducing philosophy courses in kindergartens

Almaty. November 17. Silkroadnews - China plans introducing philosophy courses in kindergartens, “People’s Daily” reported.
“A kindergarten in Hangzhou, eastern China’s Zhejiang province, is planning to open philosophy courses for its students in the next year,” the report said.
According to Gao Zhenyu, the teacher of the course, and also the director of a children philosophy research institute under Hangzhou Normal University, philosophy is not as profound as some people think, and children like raising a lot of questions on their daily experiences.
For example, after reading a fairy tale about ants, they ask whether ants are beneficial insects and if a mother ant would be sad when another ant is stepped on.
Behind these questions is children’s thinking about their relations with nature, which is exactly what the children’s philosophy course is devoted to.
Experts on children philosophy believe the courses can contribute to the development of the erudition of children, stimulate their curiosity and zest for knowledge. Besides, the course can also alter the traditional views that children are not capable of thinking in a wise manner.
Reportedly, there will be three different courses provided for parents, teachers and children respectively.
In addition to the kindergarten, more schools in Hangzhou have started offering courses in philosophy.