Didactic Principles of the Program “Philosophy for Children” (M. Lipman) in the Light of Universal Competences Conception

The article for the first time examines M. Lipman’s program “Philosophy for Children” as a potentially efficient instrument to form schoolchildren’s universal competences (4C: critical thinking, creative thinking, communication and cooperation). The researcher identifies the program didactic principles, which can serve as a basis of pedagogics focused on “4C” formation: problem-based and activity-based approach, class as a community of researchers, Socratic dialogue. It is shown that in M. Lipman’s program “Philosophy for Children”, the process of universal competences formation (XXI-century skills) is harmoniously included in the integral and consistent educational process.