Learning how to debate has many benefits for primary school children. Through debating, children can begin to explore big ethical questions. Children learn to see things from different perspectives and develop their speaking and listening skills. Taking part in debates also builds a child’s self-esteem. At Holly Park, we have debates in each class from Year 1 to Year 6 every half term.
Skills developed through debating activities:
- Reasoning and evidence: turning facts and statistics into a strong argument.
- Expression and delivery: being able to speak with the right pace, tone, language and body language to engage an audience and convey your argument.
- Listening and responding: listening critically to the other side’s argument, and using what you hear to develop a well-reasoned response.
- Organisation and prioritisation: knowing how to structure your speaking, and when to say the things you want to say.
Here are the floor books about debating from Y2, 3 and 6: