Why concepts and definitions matter
Many philosophical disagreements are really about what words mean. When children ask “what makes something a toy, a game or a friend?”, they are doing conceptual analysis, one of the oldest tools in philosophy.
They soon discover clear cases, borderline cases and counter-examples, and learn that testing a definition is a way of understanding an idea more deeply rather than simply looking it up.
Free activities to download
Ready-to-run EduTrend Contents philosophy enquiry workshops for primary, middle and high school. Each free download includes a step-by-step session plan, facilitator notes, three student worksheets and an assessment checklist. Full 20-week programmes are available in EduStore.
Is It a Toy?
Primary · Ages 5–7
Foundation · 30 min
Young children decide which everyday objects are toys and enquire into what makes something a toy.
Is It a Game?
Primary · Ages 8–11
Developing · 45 min
Pupils place activities from football to homework along a “definitely a game – definitely not” line and enquire into what games have in common.
Definition Duel
Middle School · Ages 11–13
Intermediate · 50 min
Students write definitions of “sport” and test each other’s with counter-examples, improving them round by round.
The Heap of Sand
Middle School · Ages 12–14
Intermediate · 50 min
Students explore an ancient paradox about removing grains from a heap and enquire into how vague words work.
Necessary, Sufficient or Family?
High School · Ages 15–18
Advanced · 60 min
Students analyse concepts such as “art” and “friend” using necessary and sufficient conditions, then compare Wittgenstein’s family resemblance idea.
Liked the free activities? Go further with a 20-week programme.
Each free activity comes from a full EduTrend Contents programme: a Family Guide or Teacher's Guide with one-page session plans for 20 weeks, plus an Assessment Toolkit with rubrics, trackers and certificates. Choose the one for your child's age or your class below. Instant PDF download after checkout.
P4C-241 · 20 WEEKS · $29
What Does It Mean? Talks at Home
Family · Ages 5–11 with a grown-up
What words mean, explored at home.
P4C-242 · 20 WEEKS · $39
Concept Explorers Classroom
Primary · Ages 5–11
Class enquiries on concepts and fuzzy edges.
P4C-243 · 20 WEEKS · $39
Concepts and Definitions Lab
Middle school · Ages 11–14
Definitions, counter-examples and vagueness.
P4C-244 · 20 WEEKS · $45
Concept Enquiry Leaders
High school · Ages 14–18
Lead concept enquiries for younger children.
Photos: Oscar Omondi, Christi Marcheschi, Zach Wear, Erik Mclean, Glenn Carstens-Peters / Unsplash
Concepts and Definitions
Explore what words mean with five free printable philosophy activities, from “is it a toy?” and “is it a game?” to definition duels, the heap paradox and necessary and sufficient conditions. For longer learning, choose a 20-week programme for families, primary, middle or high school.
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Concepts and Definitions
