Rousseau was a Swiss by birth. He introduced a movement in education, called ‘Naturalism’. The basic idea of naturalism is that the natural growth of children in a natural environment constituted an adequate education. He wrote 2 books titled “Emile " & “Social Contract”, which gave his educational philosophy.
His Ideas & Contributions:
He gave importance to nature, believed that nature would take care of children. One should not impose training over them in terms of our adult tastes and ways.
Teach more from life and less from books, using many objects, pictures, illustrations and few words.
Teachers should try to win children’s confidence; they should stimulate the minds of children with things which they can understand.
He was against harsh discipline and insisted that freedom is essential for children.
The child must learn from his own experience and should not be spoon fed.
According to him natural growth of children in a natural environment is considered as true/proper education.
Implications
The natural play materials like water, sand, clay and different types of colors used in preschools are based on his ideas and these help in the growth of spontaneous activity in children.
The current emphasis on the study of environment for children is also based on the philosophy of naturalism.
Participants