University of California Publications in Education Volume 5 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 Excerpt: ...has said (by his reactions): "Go to. I don't want your canned goods. I want the fresh, juicy fruit of experience grained through my own activities"--and he gets it. though frequently it is of indifferent quality and often positively bad. In his play, which is his real life, the child educates himself, even without instruction or aid. The result, however, depends always upon the character of the activities, and this is determined partly by the individual child's temperament, partly by his opportunities and largely by the example and leadership supplied in his environment. Through these forces come development, and character and ideals are formed. It is the duty of education as a social effort to feed the spontaneous life-hungers of the child with the wisdom of the race. Co-operation must be given that the play-life may be broad, rich and wholesome. Hence, individual leadership is essential. Leadership means study, suggestion, direction. It may mean control in which discipline in work and duty have a place; it never means mere domination. This co-operation and leadership in the child's struggle for activity, experience and self-expression, the Play School proposes to give completely. Relation of Play and IYork--Education Disagreement concerning these principles may arise through old misinterpretations and confused notions about the relation between play and work. The fact that the child must learn to work cannot be over-emphasized, for he has needs, supplied during the early years by the home, that later he must satisfy through work. Moreover, if he is to become an efficient social being, he mast learn to perform duties that frequently are not pleasant and his adjustment will be flexible and complete in proportion as he masters the essential culture...