Michel Eyquem de Montainge on Education of Children

Michel Eyquem de Montaigne was born on February 28, 1533, in a time when only the wealthy received the privilege of a good education. Around 1539, Montaigne's father sent him to the College of Guyenne in Bordeaux, where, by the time he had reached his thirteenth year, had completed the curriculum under the direction of George Buchanan. Montaigne spoke well of his educators and praised their teaching techniques, but chastised the stern discipline of most of the schools during his time. He said that if one were to visit a college where lessons were in progress, nothing could be heard, save “the cries of children being beaten and of masters drunk with anger.”1 In his work, The Essays, Montaigne emphasizes some very important subjects, such as the need to teach children with gentleness, make learning an enjoyable experience, and train a child's personality. Though Montaigne's thoughts on education may be contrasting to the world today, he understood the process of learning very well. His ideas may be applied to instructional theory to this day.

One of the first things Montaigne mentioned is to teach with understanding and tenderness. Montaigne said that “education ought to be conducted with a gentle severity”2, instead of being “confronted with terror and cruelty.”3 The hard work of a student should always be rewarded, as this encourages the child to study harder. The goal of a tutor is to educate the children with love, but he renounces that goal when he uses fear to get them to study harder. Cicero mentioned that “the authority of those who profess to teach is often a positive hindrance to those who desire to learn.”4 Fear is not to be used when educating a child; it can have a paralyzing effect on the mind. A child cannot think...

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...s, among other characteristics already mentioned. Understanding the purpose of existence and having a good education is crucial to living a good and moral life. When a child follows his interest, he may find a path to his career. Philosophy and history are valuable to a good education. Without philosophy to teach us how to be temperate, we would never learn to live well. Without our knowledge of history, humans would fall back into the same traps and mistakes over and over. It is essential that we know how and what to teach to each generation. The use of fear is not an effective method of teaching, as it may cause immobilization of the mind. Learning should be the greatest pleasure of life. Montaigne's essay Of the Education of Children is beneficial in comprehending how to complete the essential task of educating our youth with gentleness, joy, and effectiveness.