The School of Joy

Vasyl Sukhomlynsky was the principal of a combined primary and secondary school in the rural settlement of Pavlysh in central Ukraine. Not satisfied with a purely administrative role, he created his own class by inviting parents to send their children to school a year early. The result was the 'School of Joy', a preschool program for thirty-one children that was conducted almost completely outdoors. During this magical year the children explored their village and the surrounding...
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Vasyl Sukhomlynsky was the principal of a combined primary and secondary school in the rural settlement of Pavlysh in central Ukraine. Not satisfied with a purely administrative role, he created his own class by inviting parents to send their children to school a year early. The result was the 'School of Joy', a preschool program for thirty-one children that was conducted almost completely outdoors. During this magical year the children explored their village and the surrounding countryside, created a comfortable cubby house in a cave, made up stories and poems, drew pictures, and learnt to read and write. Along the way they also gained remarkable health and resilience, and learnt to care for plants and animals, family and friends. This very readable translation provides an excellent introduction to one of the most influential educators of the twentieth century. Sukhomlynsky's books have sold millions of copies in over thirty languages. 'The School of Joy' is the first part of a larger work entitled 'My Heart I Give to Children'.