A debate heated up recently, thanks to Amy Chua’s book about a Chinese “tiger mother”. In her latest book entitled “The Battle Hymn of a Tiger Mother”, Amy describes how she adopt s traditional Chinese methods to educate her children, which is considered by many westerners to be too hard and inhuman.
One of the issues being discussed after the book was published is whether early education should focus on children’s happiness. Those supporting the idea argue that early education is intended to help children grow up in a cheerful atmosph ere and inspire them to better themselves in an all-round way. Therefore we should allow children to enjoy the happiness which can only be found during their childhood. On the contrary, people holding the opposite view insist that since in reality life is full of happiness and pain, children should be well prepared for that even during childhood. Otherwise, they would find it hard to adapt to life in the future.
In my opinion, just as Confucius said, education methods should be adopted based on inpidual personalities. Moreover, educators should respect children as independent human beings.
最近的争论升温,多亏了蔡美儿的书关于中国“虎妈”。在她的新书〈虎妈的战歌〉，艾米描述她是如何采用中国传统的方法来教育她的孩子,这是许多西方人认为过于苛刻和不人道。
正在讨论的问题之一是这本书出版后早期教育是否应该关注孩子们的幸福。那些支持这个想法认为早期教育的目的是帮助孩子成长在一个快乐的全方面的环境和激励他们更好的自己。因此我们应该让孩子们享受的幸福只能发现在他们的童年。相反,人们持有相反的观点坚持认为,因为在现实生活中充满了快乐和痛苦,孩子们应该好好准备,即使在童年。否则,他们会发现很难适应未来的生活。
在我看来,正如孔子所说,教育方法应采用基于个性。此外,教师应该尊重孩子作为独立的人。