Educational Philosophy of
Jean Jacques
Rousseau
Presentation By
Cristita M. Navarro
BIOGRAPHY
• French Philosopher.
• Born June 28,1712
Geneva Switzerland.
• Left Geneva at 16 and
Settled in Paris in 1742 at
the age of 30.
Introduction
Jean Jacques Rousseau according to him, nature is the
only pure clean and ennobling influence on children.
And also according to him Human society is thoroughly
corrupt. Therefore, man should be freed from the
bondage of society and should live in the nature.
His famous book, ‘Emilie’, is in the field of child education.
Here he described the process of education through
education of an imaginary child’ Emilie’ who was given
Education in a natural environment away from the society
and school.
In this book, psychological principles of education were
Given more importance as the child was left free to explore
nature so that
She could develop physically as well as mentally in the lap
of nature.
Concept of Education
Rousseau suggested the given practices in
education:
• Complete freedom to the child/learner
• No Imposed physical punishment.
• Follow the Natural Law(s).
Aims of Education
The Following aims of education were suggested
by Rousseau:
• Emphasis on natural activities of the child.
• Child as the Centre of Education.
• Emphasis of Nature.
Curriculum and Methods of
Teaching
• Stage
• Curriculum
• Methods of Teaching
Role of Teacher
According to him, a teacher is not the source of
Information but must act as a motivator for
learning. Children should not be directed but
guided.
Teacher must understand the nature of children.
So he/she should be tolerant and able to check
his/her emotions.
Role of Teacher
The child needs to be provided with full freedom
for exploring and learning.
Proper guidance should be provided by the
teacher to the child.
Negative Education
He emphasized on negative education as
compared to positive education as formal and
rigid education tries to prepare the child for
adults roles before time by providing lot of
information and instruction in an artificial
environment.
Negative Education
Rousseau emphasized on the following:
• No learning through books rather learning
through direct experiences from the nature.
• No Time Savings.
• No Habit Information
Negative Education
• No social education for the children.
• No Direct moral education.
• No strict and formal discipline.
• No Traditional education method.
Woman Education
Rousseau was not in favor of the same education
for the men and women as he believed that their
nature of responsibilities is totally different.
He said that women are born to serve and men
are born to enjoy. The role of women is to bring
up children help them to grow up as adults, to
provide them with advice to make their life
comfortable and acceptable.
Rousseau Contribution to Education
• He discovered and recognized the childhood
traits.
• He advocated basis of child psychology as the
founding step for education of children. This
lead to child centered education in the
modern period.
Rousseau Contribution to Education
• He laid the foundation of free and positive
discipline. He said “ Let the child move freely
in the nature and learn from his/her own
personal experience and through actual
participation in day to day life activities.
Rousseau Contribution to Education
• He commended the punishment which
destroys original and natural curiosity and
intellect of the child due to fear of
punishment.
• He was against strict discipline enforcement
on children.
“Freedom is the power
to choose our own Chain”
Thank you.
