The developing child. The first steps.
September 13th 2007 19:09
The developing child. The first steps.
Let’s go back to the start, shall we?
Plato and Aristotle had already very distinct opinions regarding children’s development.
They believed that the educational system and parents had the responsibility to teach children self-control in order to make effective citizens.
Although rigidness was suggested, both philosophers agreed that too much of it may alienate the child from its inner-self development and unique purpose.
In the 16th century, Puritans believed in the original sin and saw children as born “evil and stubborn.”
The Puritan doctrine had then very harsh and severe child-rearing practices in order to purify and tame the “depraved child”.
Despite the fact that physical abuses were then a common thing, natural human sense of love and affection from many puritans prevented from extreme behaviors. .
Early psychological views in the 17th century believed that a newborn entered the world as a “tabula rasa”.
At this time philosophers such as Rousseau and Locke, respectively from France and England, emphasized, for Rousseau nature and heredity, while Locke believed in experience, nurture and the influence of the environment.
Locke suggested that “the little and almost insensible impressions on our tender infancies have very important and lasting consequences.” He argued that the “associations of ideas” that one makes when young are more important than those made later because they are the foundation of the self.”
Tabula rasa comes from Latin and means “clean tablet”, in other words it suggests that we are all born with no innate mental content, technically we are “blank”!
We gradually build up our entire resource of knowledge through life experiences and our perceptions of the outside world.
John Locke was ahead of his time and thought parents as rational tutors who could “mold the child in any way they wished, through careful instruction, effective example, and rewards for good behavior.”
Today’s researches still support his view on child-rearing. For example, he suggested that if rewards occur it should be granted with praise and approval instead of money and sweets. He was also very much opposed to physical punishments.
“The child repeatedly beaten in school cannot look upon books and teachers without experiencing fear and anger.”
He emphasized continuous development, parents as role models through warm and consistent teaching, and an undeniable influence from the environment.
What contemporary theorists have disregarded from Locke’s theory is its belief of a child being a passive individual.
Children are today known as active little persons. They are purposeful “beings who make sense of their own world and contribute substantially to their own development.”
On the other hand Jean-Jacques Rousseau did not see children as blank canvas but instead as “noble savages” and believed that they were born with an innate sense of right and wrong and natural desire for healthy growth.
Locke believed in the positive influence of parents, Rousseau in the contrary thought “children’s built-in moral sense and unique way of thinking and feeling would only be harmed by adult training.”
Rousseau’s child-centered philosophy saw children in control of their own destinies and suggested that parents should be receptive to their children’s needs.
Let’s go back to the start, shall we?
Plato and Aristotle had already very distinct opinions regarding children’s development.
They believed that the educational system and parents had the responsibility to teach children self-control in order to make effective citizens.
Although rigidness was suggested, both philosophers agreed that too much of it may alienate the child from its inner-self development and unique purpose.
In the 16th century, Puritans believed in the original sin and saw children as born “evil and stubborn.”
Despite the fact that physical abuses were then a common thing, natural human sense of love and affection from many puritans prevented from extreme behaviors. .
Early psychological views in the 17th century believed that a newborn entered the world as a “tabula rasa”.
At this time philosophers such as Rousseau and Locke, respectively from France and England, emphasized, for Rousseau nature and heredity, while Locke believed in experience, nurture and the influence of the environment.
Locke suggested that “the little and almost insensible impressions on our tender infancies have very important and lasting consequences.” He argued that the “associations of ideas” that one makes when young are more important than those made later because they are the foundation of the self.”
Tabula rasa comes from Latin and means “clean tablet”, in other words it suggests that we are all born with no innate mental content, technically we are “blank”!
We gradually build up our entire resource of knowledge through life experiences and our perceptions of the outside world.
Today’s researches still support his view on child-rearing. For example, he suggested that if rewards occur it should be granted with praise and approval instead of money and sweets. He was also very much opposed to physical punishments.
“The child repeatedly beaten in school cannot look upon books and teachers without experiencing fear and anger.”
He emphasized continuous development, parents as role models through warm and consistent teaching, and an undeniable influence from the environment.
What contemporary theorists have disregarded from Locke’s theory is its belief of a child being a passive individual.
Children are today known as active little persons. They are purposeful “beings who make sense of their own world and contribute substantially to their own development.”
On the other hand Jean-Jacques Rousseau did not see children as blank canvas but instead as “noble savages” and believed that they were born with an innate sense of right and wrong and natural desire for healthy growth.
Locke believed in the positive influence of parents, Rousseau in the contrary thought “children’s built-in moral sense and unique way of thinking and feeling would only be harmed by adult training.”
Rousseau’s child-centered philosophy saw children in control of their own destinies and suggested that parents should be receptive to their children’s needs.
| 88 |
| Vote |
