A comparison and insight into the concept of family education in the context of virtue in the masterpieces of pre-school education -- Selected Masterpieces of Preschool Education

University College London, WC1E 6BT, London, United Kingdom

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Abstract

In contemporary society, a prevalent trend exists whereby parents excessively indulge their children from an early age, delegating the responsibility of education to schools and teachers. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the similarities and differences between the concepts of home education proposed by Rousseau, Locke, and Comenius, specifically regarding the cultivation of virtue. All three educators emphasize the significance of early education, advocating for home-based education while opposing the reliance on institutional schooling. Furthermore, they collectively recognize the critical role parents play in the moral development of young children and stress the importance of virtue education. Nevertheless, disparities arise in terms of the educational objectives, principles of virtue formation, goals of education, and educational approaches employed by each of these theorists. Consequently, the article asserts the necessity of integrating family education with formal schooling in a harmonious manner. The article posits that these educational perspectives hold profound insights for contemporary family education and offer solutions to current challenges in this domain. Furthermore, it presents strategies and recommendations for parents, urging them to revise their educational mindset, acknowledge their own significance, confront prevailing issues in family education, implement appropriate family education practices, prioritize the holistic development of their children, and help them adapt to societal challenges.