Illustration as a Philosophy Training Tool for Children: analysis of image text in three works by Shell Silverstein and Wolf Erlbruch

Abstract

This article qualitatively introduces the use of illustrations in children's books as a mediator of intellectual understanding and critical thinking. To show the importance of teaching philosophy with the help of illustration. A Philosophical teaching through picture books enables the development of children's cognitive abilities and it helps them to think and act according to the needs of the society in which they live. Regarding the teaching of philosophy to children, theorists such as Matthew Lipman have developed programs that have been used in recent years. In this article, in addition to the description of Lippmann's method, which emphasizes the literary text, the possibilities of teaching through illustration are examined. The data collection method of this research is based on the information obtained from the library study and internet search, which, while explaining the characteristics of imagery in teaching philosophy to children, selectively examines the relationship between concepts and images in two works by Silverstein and one by Wolff Erlbruch describes and analyzes. The findings show that the ambiguity of abstract forms in Silverstein's works, as well as the interpretability of color connotations in Erlbruch's works, can provide the possibility of questioning, thinking, and subsequently inner knowledge and, finally, the intellectual development of children and make them self-knowledge, self-improvement, and prepare a better society. In this way, it is necessary to pay special attention to all dimensions and elements of children's books so that a direct relationship between the book and the child is formed.

Keywords

• illustration
• philosophy education
• sheldon silverstein
• wolf erlbruch
• philosophy for children