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When I Am Little Again and The Child's Right to Respect
These two works belong to that group of books written by one of this century's fiercest and most devoted child advocates. In the first, Korczak uses fiction to reveal the joys and sorrows of a child, a ten-year-old, juxtaposing them against the feelings of an adult as they both react to two days of adventure spent together.
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 1991
4 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Janusz Korczak
155 books111 followersJanusz Korczak was a Polish-Jewish children's author, pediatrician, and child pedagogue, also known under the pseudonym "Stary Doktor".
He was born Henryk Goldszmit in Warsaw on July 22, 1878. During his youth, he played with children who were poor and lived in bad neighborhoods; his passion for helping disadvantaged youth continued into his adulthood. He studied medicine and also had a promising career in literature. When he gave up his career in literature and medicine, he changed his name to Janusz Korczak, a pseudonym derived from a 19th century novel, Janasz Korczak and the pretty Swordsweeperlady.
In 1912, Korczak established a Jewish orphanage, Dom Sierot, in a building which he designed to advance his progressive educational theories. He envisioned a world in which children structured their own world and became experts in their own matters. Jewish children between the ages of seven and fourteen were allowed to live there while attending Polish public school and government-sponsored Jewish schools, known as "Sabbath" schools. The orphanage opened a summer camp in 1921, which remained in operation until the summer of 1940.
Besides serving as principal of Dom Sierot and another orphanage, Nasz Dom, Korczak was also a doctor and author, worked at a Polish radio station, was a principal of an experimental school, published a children’s newspaper and was a docent at a Polish university. Korczak also served as an expert witness in a district court for minors. He became well-known in Polish societyand received many awards. The rise of anti-Semitism in the 1930's restricted only his activities with Jews.
In 1934 and 1936, Korczak visited Palestine and was influenced by the kibbutz movement. Following his trips, Korczak was convinced that all Jews should move to Palestine.
The Germans occupied Poland in September 1939, and the Warsaw ghetto was established in November 1940. The orphanage was moved inside the ghetto. Korczak received many offers to be smuggled out of the ghetto, but he refused because he did not want to abandon the children. On August 5, 1942, Korczak joined nearly 200 children and orphanage staff members were rounded up for deportation to Treblinka, where they were all put to death.
Source: Janusz Korczak Communication Center and U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
He was born Henryk Goldszmit in Warsaw on July 22, 1878. During his youth, he played with children who were poor and lived in bad neighborhoods; his passion for helping disadvantaged youth continued into his adulthood. He studied medicine and also had a promising career in literature. When he gave up his career in literature and medicine, he changed his name to Janusz Korczak, a pseudonym derived from a 19th century novel, Janasz Korczak and the pretty Swordsweeperlady.
In 1912, Korczak established a Jewish orphanage, Dom Sierot, in a building which he designed to advance his progressive educational theories. He envisioned a world in which children structured their own world and became experts in their own matters. Jewish children between the ages of seven and fourteen were allowed to live there while attending Polish public school and government-sponsored Jewish schools, known as "Sabbath" schools. The orphanage opened a summer camp in 1921, which remained in operation until the summer of 1940.
Besides serving as principal of Dom Sierot and another orphanage, Nasz Dom, Korczak was also a doctor and author, worked at a Polish radio station, was a principal of an experimental school, published a children’s newspaper and was a docent at a Polish university. Korczak also served as an expert witness in a district court for minors. He became well-known in Polish societyand received many awards. The rise of anti-Semitism in the 1930's restricted only his activities with Jews.
In 1934 and 1936, Korczak visited Palestine and was influenced by the kibbutz movement. Following his trips, Korczak was convinced that all Jews should move to Palestine.
The Germans occupied Poland in September 1939, and the Warsaw ghetto was established in November 1940. The orphanage was moved inside the ghetto. Korczak received many offers to be smuggled out of the ghetto, but he refused because he did not want to abandon the children. On August 5, 1942, Korczak joined nearly 200 children and orphanage staff members were rounded up for deportation to Treblinka, where they were all put to death.
Source: Janusz Korczak Communication Center and U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 23, 2021
While the two essays in this book are not Korczak's most famous writings (that honor would probably go to King Matt, How to Love a Child, and The Ghetto Diary), they are probably the most representative of the Polish pediatrician, educator, and writer. More than anywhere else, one gains an understanding of the extant of this man's empathy for children and his ardent fight for children's rights.
Published in 1925, When I Am Little Again, is Korczak's description how he is able to relate to children on their terms, first imagining himself being little among the adults in his life and then himself as the adult and his peers as children, a feat of literary philosophy that has never been replicated with the skill that Korczak has shown. Korczak also devoted special attention to the relationships among the children, both their compassion and their malice (and how the two polar opposites could seemingly coexist). He has succeeded in showing both how adults view children and how children view adults.
In The Child's Rights to Respect, Korczak shows how he is aware of the plight of children even when he, himself, was a child, and carried this memory into adulthood for the rest of his life. He went on at length to explain how adults used their power to control children, never taking into account their feelings, lacking confidence in their ability to reason, make decisions, and accomplish noble deeds. The relationship between adults and children has nearly always been characterized as resentment and distrust.
Toward the end of this groundbreaking essay, Korczak stated that although many adults feel that the world would be much more convenient without children, "they are and they will be.... Children account for a large proportion of mankind, a sizeable portion of the population, of the nation, residents, citizens - constant companions. Children have been, are, and they will be. He then defined the title of the essay, what exactly is the child's right to respect. Children have a right to be understood. They have a right to learn, to have their efforts recognized and be forgiven for mistakes. A right to responsibility. They have a right to their possessions. In other words, children have the right to be themselves, to have and state their feelings and opinions - and for these to be taken seriously by adults. They have a right to a safe, loving home, caring teachers. Yet, "politicians and law makers ... deliberate and make decisions about the child, too; but who asks the child for his opinion and consent; what can he possibly have to say?" Fortunately, at least the United Nations was listening, when it enacted the final version of the Convention of the Rights of the Child, enabling the spirit of this great man to live on.
Published in 1925, When I Am Little Again, is Korczak's description how he is able to relate to children on their terms, first imagining himself being little among the adults in his life and then himself as the adult and his peers as children, a feat of literary philosophy that has never been replicated with the skill that Korczak has shown. Korczak also devoted special attention to the relationships among the children, both their compassion and their malice (and how the two polar opposites could seemingly coexist). He has succeeded in showing both how adults view children and how children view adults.
In The Child's Rights to Respect, Korczak shows how he is aware of the plight of children even when he, himself, was a child, and carried this memory into adulthood for the rest of his life. He went on at length to explain how adults used their power to control children, never taking into account their feelings, lacking confidence in their ability to reason, make decisions, and accomplish noble deeds. The relationship between adults and children has nearly always been characterized as resentment and distrust.
Toward the end of this groundbreaking essay, Korczak stated that although many adults feel that the world would be much more convenient without children, "they are and they will be.... Children account for a large proportion of mankind, a sizeable portion of the population, of the nation, residents, citizens - constant companions. Children have been, are, and they will be. He then defined the title of the essay, what exactly is the child's right to respect. Children have a right to be understood. They have a right to learn, to have their efforts recognized and be forgiven for mistakes. A right to responsibility. They have a right to their possessions. In other words, children have the right to be themselves, to have and state their feelings and opinions - and for these to be taken seriously by adults. They have a right to a safe, loving home, caring teachers. Yet, "politicians and law makers ... deliberate and make decisions about the child, too; but who asks the child for his opinion and consent; what can he possibly have to say?" Fortunately, at least the United Nations was listening, when it enacted the final version of the Convention of the Rights of the Child, enabling the spirit of this great man to live on.
July 12, 2021
I admire Korczak for everything he did in life, and more so how he viewed children’s autonomy. Through this collection, he makes a point that is contrary to the notion that “children are so innocent”. Instead of nostalgia, and thinking children feel glee and are carefree and that their worries are superficial, we should consider that children do feel happiness, pain, sorrow etc. and at a level far more intense than us as desensitized adults. Which requires more patience and sympathy for adults to just shut up and listen and stop nagging so much.
March 3, 2009
Amazing book that makes us forget that one day we were a child and most of the times we just can not understand them.
After you read this book you totaly understand a child's mind and learn more how to respect then even more all their behaviours.
After you read this book you totaly understand a child's mind and learn more how to respect then even more all their behaviours.
June 29, 2024
«Ви кажете:
— Спілкування з дітьми нас обтяжує.
Маєте слушність.
Ви пояснюєте:
— Тому що мусимо опускатися до їхніх уявлень.
Опускатись, нахилятись, згинатися, стискатися.
Помиляєтеся.
Не від цього ми стомлюємося. А від того, що треба підніматися до їхніх почуттів.
Підніматись, зводитись навшпиньки, тягтись.
Щоб не образити»
(Януш Корчак «Правила життя», 1919р.)
У Міжнародний день захисту дітей чому б не згадати подвижника, ім'я котрого стало символом, а життя - легендою. Письменник, лікар, учений, вихователь, людина, яка до кінця своїх днів була віддана дітям.
Не лякайтеся, настанов, керівництва, чи порад у книзі від тонкого знавця людської психології не знайти. Бо хіба може бути якась інструкція, коли мова йде про любов до дітей. Без будь-яких повчань, ця книга швидше як записи спостережень. І своїми дослідженнями Корчак випередив час, у момент написання книги озвученні ідеї вважалися новаторськими, адже дітей у ті часи не сприймали як особистостей. А основна ідеологія цієї книги - це повага до дитини.
Ця книга залучає до роздумів і змушує обмінюватися ролями з дітьми. Як батькам зрозуміти дитину, що дивиться на тебе з очима повними почуттів і емоціями, щоб її зрозуміли і прийняли як рівного. Дитина - це теж особистість, і цю особистість треба поважати і ставитися з повагою і розумінням. Із розумінням того, що дитина не має великого досвіду життя, і багато чого може не знати. Що треба бути поблажливим, терпеливим і пояснювати спокійною мовою, але ніяк не вказувати і не кричати. Сучасним батькам інформація видана у книзі може видатитися не новиною та навіть мені із моїм багаторічним стажем материнства було цікаво та пізнавально.
На прикладі дітей в інтернаті, автор дає відповіді на питання: чому діти часом бувають жорстокими. А жорстокі вони, бо їх ніхто не любить. Тому що навколо них такі ж недолюблені особи, які так само виживають у цьому світі.
Плекати, виховувати в людині людину, думати про те, як поглибити й розширити нашу доброту, ввічливість, взаємну повагу і ... фантазію. І дорослі, і діти. От і правила життя від Я.Корчака.
— Спілкування з дітьми нас обтяжує.
Маєте слушність.
Ви пояснюєте:
— Тому що мусимо опускатися до їхніх уявлень.
Опускатись, нахилятись, згинатися, стискатися.
Помиляєтеся.
Не від цього ми стомлюємося. А від того, що треба підніматися до їхніх почуттів.
Підніматись, зводитись навшпиньки, тягтись.
Щоб не образити»
(Януш Корчак «Правила життя», 1919р.)
У Міжнародний день захисту дітей чому б не згадати подвижника, ім'я котрого стало символом, а життя - легендою. Письменник, лікар, учений, вихователь, людина, яка до кінця своїх днів була віддана дітям.
Не лякайтеся, настанов, керівництва, чи порад у книзі від тонкого знавця людської психології не знайти. Бо хіба може бути якась інструкція, коли мова йде про любов до дітей. Без будь-яких повчань, ця книга швидше як записи спостережень. І своїми дослідженнями Корчак випередив час, у момент написання книги озвученні ідеї вважалися новаторськими, адже дітей у ті часи не сприймали як особистостей. А основна ідеологія цієї книги - це повага до дитини.
Ця книга залучає до роздумів і змушує обмінюватися ролями з дітьми. Як батькам зрозуміти дитину, що дивиться на тебе з очима повними почуттів і емоціями, щоб її зрозуміли і прийняли як рівного. Дитина - це теж особистість, і цю особистість треба поважати і ставитися з повагою і розумінням. Із розумінням того, що дитина не має великого досвіду життя, і багато чого може не знати. Що треба бути поблажливим, терпеливим і пояснювати спокійною мовою, але ніяк не вказувати і не кричати. Сучасним батькам інформація видана у книзі може видатитися не новиною та навіть мені із моїм багаторічним стажем материнства було цікаво та пізнавально.
На прикладі дітей в інтернаті, автор дає відповіді на питання: чому діти часом бувають жорстокими. А жорстокі вони, бо їх ніхто не любить. Тому що навколо них такі ж недолюблені особи, які так само виживають у цьому світі.
Плекати, виховувати в людині людину, думати про те, як поглибити й розширити нашу доброту, ввічливість, взаємну повагу і ... фантазію. І дорослі, і діти. От і правила життя від Я.Корчака.
September 21, 2021
There aren’t enough stars in the sky to rate Korczak’s writing. So much meaning and deep, insightful teaching on every page. This man’s ability to see and appreciate children is unparalleled.
December 21, 2016
This is a fine book about respecting children that appeals to emotions rather than reason. Though it made a lot of good points, it was far too dramatic for me. Instead of pointing out problems, why not offer solutions? Why not create a beautiful world in his book of how the ideal adult treats the child so we know what to aspire to. Instead, we are just lectured at.
This book has similar ideas to Maria Montessori, but isn't as well written, clear, and doesn't offer solutions, whereas Montessori does. Skip this book and read The Secret of Childhood instead!
Quotes I liked:
"We live like a race of little people subjugated by a race of big people which possesses physical strength and secret knowledge."
"Just think: your criminals sit behind bars while ours walk freely among us."
"He [the adult] won't tell any stories, won't play any games, won't draw or help out, won't be obliging--"he's doing a big favor", "you have to beg him". Alone and isolated, the child makes a strong effort to win the good graces of his own peer community which eagerly accepts his conversation."
"How impoverished would be the child's knowledge were it not for his peers, for his eavesdropping; if he didn't pick up information from the words and conversations of adults."
"A teacher eagerly adopts the adults privilege: to keep an eye on the child, not on oneself; to register the child's faults, not one's own."
This book has similar ideas to Maria Montessori, but isn't as well written, clear, and doesn't offer solutions, whereas Montessori does. Skip this book and read The Secret of Childhood instead!
Quotes I liked:
"We live like a race of little people subjugated by a race of big people which possesses physical strength and secret knowledge."
"Just think: your criminals sit behind bars while ours walk freely among us."
"He [the adult] won't tell any stories, won't play any games, won't draw or help out, won't be obliging--"he's doing a big favor", "you have to beg him". Alone and isolated, the child makes a strong effort to win the good graces of his own peer community which eagerly accepts his conversation."
"How impoverished would be the child's knowledge were it not for his peers, for his eavesdropping; if he didn't pick up information from the words and conversations of adults."
"A teacher eagerly adopts the adults privilege: to keep an eye on the child, not on oneself; to register the child's faults, not one's own."
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews