BacchChat May - Philosophy for all ages

Presented by Bonnie Zuidland and Andy Vaszolyi

Join us for a thought-provoking BacchChat session exploring philosophy for young minds! Bonnie will share insights on engaging children in philosophical thinking, while Andy will discuss the benefits of philosophy for all ages. Together, they will guide a live philosophical inquiry, inviting participants to experience the power of deep discussion firsthand.

About our presenters:

Bonnie Zuidland is a philosophy teacher at Ballarat High School who is also passionate about philosophy with and for children. She is a teacher trainer in the Pedagogical Approach of Community of Inquiry, a method of teaching that engages children in deeper questioning and thinking about the world we find ourselves in.

In this session Bonnie will discuss how to have philosophical conversations with children. This can include reading picture story books, engaging children in thinking, imagining, questioning and exploring arising big issues or philosophical conundrums.

Andy's bio:

Andy Vaszolyi first formally studied philosophy in 1999, initially choosing it as a ‘filler’ in a journalism course. It quickly became clear that this ‘filler’ was something more—philosophy soon took up the biggest share of time and energy.

Since April 2024, Andy has been facilitating the Bacchus Marsh Philosophy Club, a weekly highlight. Watching the club grow, welcoming new voices and ways of thinking, has been a real delight. Seeing curiosity and engagement with deep thinking flourish in a community has been both inspiring and encouraging.