Debating

Debating is such a great way to develop skills in communication, persuasion, critical thinking and resilience. It is no surprise that great Debaters rise to the tops of their Professions. Try these kid friendly debating topics.
Each of the coaching cards below takes no more than five minutes and requires zero preparation. Since they are broadly for 5 - 15 year olds, we have tagged them as easy / medium / hard to help you pick the most appropriate for your child.
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School or Home?

Do we need schools, or can we just learn at home?

Improve debating skills
Medium
Guidance
Have your child pick a side and you can argue the other.
Prompts if stuck
1) What is your strongest point and can you make a "headline" from it?

Guidance

Take a side each. Arguments for school - socialisation, expert teachers, better facilities. Arguments for home - more time effective, involves parents, more personalised. Encourage your child to use facts and not opinions, using simple structure to their arguments, and anctipating and listening to the counter-arguments for flaws. Depending on how much you want to push back on their flaws, it is also a good opportunity to build their resilience.

Prompts if stuck

1) There is no right answer. What do you personally think?

2) Now, how can you make a convincing case for?

3) And how can you make a convincing case against?

School or Home?

Do we need schools, or can we just learn at home?

Improve debating skills
Medium

Guidance

Take a side each. Arguments for school - socialisation, expert teachers, better facilities. Arguments for home - more time effective, involves parents, more personalised. Encourage your child to use facts and not opinions, using simple structure to their arguments, and anctipating and listening to the counter-arguments for flaws. Depending on how much you want to push back on their flaws, it is also a good opportunity to build their resilience.

Prompts if stuck

1) There is no right answer. What do you personally think?

2) Now, how can you make a convincing case for?

3) And how can you make a convincing case against?

X
play audio version

Computers for Teachers?

Can we replace teachers with computers?

Improve debating skills
Hard
Guidance
Have your child pick a side and you can argue the other.
Prompts if stuck
1) What is your strongest point and can you make a "headline" from it?

Guidance

Take a side each. Arguments for teachers - relationships, expertise, flexibility. Arguments for computers - knowledge, effectiveness, scaleability. Encourage your child to use facts and not opinions, using simple structure to their arguments, and ancticipating and listening to the counter-arguments for flaws. Depending on how much you want to push back on their flaws, it is also a good opportunity to build their resilience.

Prompts if stuck

1) There is no right answer. What do you personally think?

2) Now, how can you make a convincing case for?

3) And how can you make a convincing case against?

Computers for Teachers?

Can we replace teachers with computers?

Improve debating skills
Hard

Guidance

Take a side each. Arguments for teachers - relationships, expertise, flexibility. Arguments for computers - knowledge, effectiveness, scaleability. Encourage your child to use facts and not opinions, using simple structure to their arguments, and ancticipating and listening to the counter-arguments for flaws. Depending on how much you want to push back on their flaws, it is also a good opportunity to build their resilience.

Prompts if stuck

1) There is no right answer. What do you personally think?

2) Now, how can you make a convincing case for?

3) And how can you make a convincing case against?

X
play audio version

Set Own Bedtime?

Should children be allowed to set their own bedtime?

Improve debating skills
Easy
Guidance
Have your child pick a side and you can argue the other.
Prompts if stuck
1) What is your strongest point and can you make a "headline" from it?

Guidance

Take a side each. Arguments for - teaches responsibility and independence. Arguments against - kids might be on Facebook all night and be tired for school next day. Encourage your child to use facts and not opinions, using simple structure to their arguments, and anticipating and listening to the counter-arguments for flaws. Depending on how much you want to push back on their flaws, it is also a good opportunity to build their resilience.

Prompts if stuck

1) There is no right answer. What do you personally think?

2) Now, how can you make a convincing case for?

3) And how can you make a convincing case against?

Set Own Bedtime?

Should children be allowed to set their own bedtime?

Improve debating skills
Easy

Guidance

Take a side each. Arguments for - teaches responsibility and independence. Arguments against - kids might be on Facebook all night and be tired for school next day. Encourage your child to use facts and not opinions, using simple structure to their arguments, and anticipating and listening to the counter-arguments for flaws. Depending on how much you want to push back on their flaws, it is also a good opportunity to build their resilience.

Prompts if stuck

1) There is no right answer. What do you personally think?

2) Now, how can you make a convincing case for?

3) And how can you make a convincing case against?

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