The Effect of Philosophy Education for Children (P4C) on Students' Conceptual Achievement and Critical Thinking Skills: A Mixed Method Research

The research aims to investigate the effect of philosophy education for children in social studies course on students' conceptual success and critical thinking skills. Sequential descriptive model, one mixed methods approaches, was used this study. study group consists 64 students studying 5th grade a secondary school affiliated with Ministry National Education located within provincial borders Istanbul city. included studied same primary school. were randomly selected by researcher considering their score averages, gender characteristics economic conditions. Quantitative data collected using Conceptual Achievement Exam Critical Thinking Skills Scale, other hand qualitative Semi-Structured Interview Form. In order reveal effects practices skills, 10-week practice conducted context “Technology Life” unit 5th-grade book. analyzed SPSS package program, MAXQDA program. According results research, before Philosophy Children, no significant difference found between mean rank experimental group's Scale pre-test scores control scores. After post-test Skills' behalf group. Experimental made comprehensive evaluation children. stated that not only improved skills different ways but influenced also creative, social, verbal empathy as well.