The “winding down” days at the end of a school semester are anything but. Classes may be about to end, but for kids the summer season is full of potential and the fun is really just beginning. Teachers are full of inventive ways to channel a classroom’s energy into creative projects for these final days. Last year, DC Canada introduced The Little Big Thinker Contest to give schools a chance to host a class tournament of our critical thinking game, Playwise, on the last day of school.
Playwise is a board game for ages 6 and up. With three different ways to play, the game can be tailored for varying levels of ability and competitiveness. The goal is to think creatively, think fast, and communicate clearly. Players takes turns being the judge of each round and awarding laurels while the others offer their best answer to hypothetical philosophical questions. It pays to be imaginative as it is often the most unique answer that wins the round.
The Little Big Thinker Contest is based on the game Playwise and the My Little Books series, both developed by the founder of the Canadian Institute of Philosophy for Children, Dr. George Ghanotakis. Last year we gave schools four philosophical questions from the My Little Books series and their answers were extraordinary! We could only pick three winners to receive books and games for the class, but the real reward of this game is always to see demonstrations of the wild range of seriousness and imagination that kids bring to the game.
This year we’re doing it again. Four questions will be announced in early February. The top three answers will be selected by our panel of judges in April, and the winners will receive books and games for themselves and the class. One class will be chosen to host a Playwise tournament on the last day of school!
Has a little big thinker stumped you with a funny question? We want to hear it! Send it to us by email, via Twitter, or on Facebook.
Want to join us on this year’s big thinking adventure? Volunteer to be a judge!
Dr. George Ghanotakis, founder of the Canadian Institute of Philosophy for Children, developed the game Playwise and the My Little Books series to introduce kids of ages 6 and up to philosophy and critical thinking.
