Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child Rearing

Front Cover
Hart Publishing Company, 1960 - Alternative education - 392 pages
"Summerhill is perhaps the most unusual school in the world. Here's a place where children are not compelled to go to class -- they can stay away from lessons for years, if they want to. Yet, strangely enough, the boys and girls in this school learn! In fact, being deprived from lessons turns out to be a severe punishment. Summerhill has been run by A. S. Neill for almost forty years. This is the world's greatest experiment in bestowing unstinted love and approval on children. This is the place where one courageous man, backed by courageous parents, has had the fortitude to actually apply -- without reservation -- the principles of freedom and nonrepression. The school runs under a true children's government where the "bosses" are the children themselves. Despite the common belief that such an atmosphere would create a gang of unbridled brats, visitors to Summerhill are struck by the self-imposed discipline of the pupils, by their joyousness, and good manners. These kids exhibit a warmth and lack of suspicion toward adults which is the wonder and delight of even official British school investigators. In this book, A. S. Neill candidly expresses his unique -- and radical -- opinions on the important aspects of parenthood and child rearing. These strong commendations of authors and educators set forth on the inside covers of this volume attest that every parent who reads this book will find in it many examples of how Neill's philosophy may be applied to daily-life situations. Educators will find Neill's refreshing viewpoints practical and inspiring. Reading this book is an exceptionally gratifying experience, for it puts into words the deepest feelings of all who care about children, and wish to help them lead happy, fruitful lives"--Back cover.

From inside the book

Contents

A Look at Summerhill
13
Summerhill Education vs Standard Education
24
Private Lessons at Summerhill
35
Copyright

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