Creating an Intellectually Safe Learning Environment With Philosophy for Children

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 27
  In Roundtable Session: Social and Emotional Learning Programs and Practices: Quality Implementation and Outcomes

Abstract

The practice of creating intellectually safe classroom environments has been shown beneficial to students, teachers, and the overall school culture in many existing publications (Jackson, 2001; Schrader, 2004; Makaiau, 2017). This study aims to identify critical factors that help to create an intellectually safe learning environment in a local elementary school. According to the results, philosophy for children is one of the main factors that had provided a framework for building and maintaining intellectually safe classroom communities of inquiry over the past ten years. An intellectually safe environment works as an effective factor for active learning. Therefore, knowing how to create an intellectually safe classroom is essential in facilitating children’s development and the possibility for lifelong learning.

Authors

• Jianhui Zhang, University of Hawaii - Manoa

• Amber Strong Makaiau, University of Hawaii - Manoa