Meta-analysis of the effectiveness of teaching philosophy to children on students' cognitive skills

The purpose of the current research was to Meta-analyze the effectiveness of philosophy education on the cognitive skills of Iranian students. The statistical population was the available research related to cognitive and metacognitive interventions on anxiety, available between 2001 and 2021 in the computer databases accessible. Finally, 72 studies with 89 effect sizes were included in the meta-analysis. The research findings showed that the size of the total combined effect (0.99) is evaluated according to Hattie's criterion and based on Cohen's large criterion. Also, in examining the role of moderating variables, the results of favorable effectiveness on each of the cognitive skills: critical thinking, cognitive flexibility, judgment, problem-solving, and questioning were investigated, among which the effectiveness of philosophy education on cognitive flexibility with a summary effect size (1.07) was the highest. Had the amount considering the high effectiveness of philosophy education on cognitive skills in gender groups, it is suggested that this program be added to the official education program in schools by following its principles.