The concern for upbringing – in views and activity of educationalists of the Second Republic of Poland (1918–1939)

Abstract

The 20th century was called the child’s century by Ellen Key in 1905. Representatives of the mainstream of New Education in Western Europe and the United States of America drew attention to the necessity to change the attitude to a child, grant rights to the youngest children, carry out educational-pedagogical reforms in the early years of the 20th century. Polish educationalists of the interwar period, who maintained frequent contacts with foreign scientific centres, emphasised the importance of cognition of children and their needs and adapt to them protective-pedagogical activities. They paid particular attention to ensure the care and upbringing of children, which were orphaned, abandoned, sick and handicapped, as individuals most affected by fate. They asked for the competent organisation of educational environment and an appropriate choice of people who take the work with children and youth.