The Effect of Teaching Philosophy to Children on Their Epistemological Beliefs and Learning Environmental Concepts in 11th Grade Students

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of teaching philosophy to children on epistemological beliefs and learning environmental concepts in 11th- grade students. The research method was quasi-experimental and pre-test-post-test with a control group. The statistical population consisted of 11th- grade students in Arak city, 44 of whom were selected by convenience sampling method and were randomly divided into two groups of 22 control and experimental groups. Subjects in the experimental group were taught human and environmental lessons for 12 sessions based on the principles of the philosophy for children program. Whereas in the control group the training method was conventional. Data collection tools were Schumer's Epistemological Beliefs Questionnaire (1990) and a researcher-made environmental concept test. Analysis of covariance was used for data analysis. The results showed that applying philosophy in the children programs had a positive and significant effect on epistemological beliefs and their components as well as learning environmental concepts of students (p = 0.001). Based on the results of the study, it is suggested to incorporate the principles of philosophy for children in the curriculum rather than being implemented separately.