ISSN : 1229-9618(Print)
ISSN : 2671-7506(Online)
ISSN : 2671-7506(Online)
Chinese Studies Vol.56 pp.147-163
DOI : https://doi.org/10.14378/KACS.2016.56.56.11
DOI : https://doi.org/10.14378/KACS.2016.56.56.11
A study on children’s learning materials for Chinese character education and personality education ― Centering on contents and contemporary values of Dizigui
Abstract
Dizigui is children's learning materials for Chinese character education and personality education. However, it is considered to put more emphasis on ethical and moral education than Chinese character education. It consists of a total of eight chapters including “Introduction,” but it can be summarized as three items. First, it pertains to a filial duty to parents and respect for one’s seniors. Second, it pertains to social skills and the art of living. Third, it pertains to learning and practice. It is mostly focused on Confucian ideas represented by Confucius and elaborates on basic duty and rules for practical life that human beings should observe. As it contains some of old ideas and action guides that do not coincide with real life in the 21st century, it provokes controversy from time to time, but the Chinese educational circles are currently concentrated on teaching students to run through Dizigui based on the judgment that it can be useful learning materials for promotion of traditional culture and personality education. Dizigui that is being used as the most important teaching materials for personality education on the back of fervor for study of culture and heritage of the country is expected to be very helpful in making children in the contemporary society that is overflowing with individualism and materialism better understand traditional culture and restore desirable values and humanity. Meticulous analyses on the phenomena are expected to be a great help to Chinese character education and personality education provided based on such teaching materials as Four Character Teaching Text.