John Locke''s Views on Parental Rearing and Its Implications for Preschool Education

• Main Authors: Li-ChuanTu, 杜麗君
• Other Authors: Fu-tsai Hung
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2003
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/82570714512279506997

碩士 === 國立台北師範學院 === 幼兒教育學系碩士班 === 91 === Abstract This study aims at exploring John Locke’s views on parental rearing and its implications for preschool education. The purposes of this study are as follows: 1.To expound Locke’s life story and thoughts; 2.to interpret and review Locke’s views on the body aspect of parental rearing; 3.to interpret and review Locke’s views on the moral aspect of parental rearing; 4.to interpret and review Locke’s views on the intelligent aspect of parental rearing; 5.to intergrate Locke’s views and analyze its implications for preschool education; 6.to induce the results of this study and bring up suggestions for the parents and personnel who are related to preschool education. In order to achieve these purposes, this study is completed under the method of documentary analysis and interpretative analysis etc... The first step of this study is to gather relevant document, and then form the frame. The second step is to study and analyze the document. Finally this study is composed. Based on documentary analysis and interpretative analysis, five findings are as follows: 1.To achieve the goal of whole preschool education, Locke emphasizes that children could be shaped, which reveals the importance of early education. 2.On the body aspect of parental rearing, the harmonious development in physically and mentally is the foundation for children to grow to maturity. 3.On the moral aspect of parental rearing, the moral life and the sequence of the society are maintained by one’s reason. 4.On the intelligent aspect of parental rearing, children have their own abilities to gain knowledge. 5.The attitude of parental rearing will be affected by parents’ views on children. After thorough investigation of John Locke’s views on parental rearing, the following conclusions are secured: 1.The object of preschool education is an whole child, so the importance of body, moral and intelligent rearing is the same. 2.Concerning Locke’s views on the body aspect of parental rearing, Locke thinks that one’s happiness is based upon his own health. That claim is that education provides a sound mind and body if it is to provide happiness. And he bows to the superiority of nature to human artifice in forming the human body. In order to adjust to society, parents ought to help children form good habits. After all, the body’s good condition is necessary so as to advance in the right way to happiness chosen by the sound mind. 3.Concerning Locke’s views on the moral aspect of parental rearing, Locke thinks that natural love alone, or even duty undirected by reason, is unreliable and in need of correction. Parents should make children’s minds obedient to discipline, which can cultivate reasonable abilities. 4.Concerning Locke’s views on the intelligent aspect of parental rearing, Locke thinks that children have their own powers to learn. Raising children’s desires to learn, learning might be made a play and recreation to them. So the arrangement of the curriculum and of pedagogical methods is also the key point. 5.Locke’s view on the goals of preschool education is to preserve children’s body and mind. Children can learn to pursue moral life and knowledge actively. By developing reasonable will and abilities makes children establish the foundation of excellent citizens. Based on the above conclusions, the following recommendations are proposed: 1.We should treat children with respect and give the best regards to their physical, mental, emotional and intelligent needs. 2.Parents ought to provide learning experience, which can help children develop a sound mind and body. 3.Establish the disciplinary principle, and cultivate self-discipline and moral integrity. 4.Making use of object lessons can help children enrich sensorial experience and develop multiple latent energy. 5.To plan parental training programs supports parents to absorb the new information of parental rearing.