Based on the spread of modern western educational theory, contemporary families pay more and more attention to children's education. In fact, in terms of family education, although there was no systematic theoretical research in ancient China, there were several excellent family instructions. Although these family instructions are based on different characteristics of the times, they are all rooted in our traditional culture. If we read them carefully, it will be easier to arouse our emotions. The wisdom of Yan Zhitui's family education in the Southern and Northern Dynasties deserves our careful understanding.

Yan Zhitui (AD 53 1- about 596) was born in Jinling (now Nanjing, Jiangsu) of the Liang Dynasty. A famous educational thinker in the history of China. He lived in the separatist regime in the Southern and Northern Dynasties and suffered from war all his life. He heard and witnessed the reality that many literati died and their families were ruined. Obviously, those wealthy disciples who usually indulge in ease and enjoyment are in trouble and even despair, while those who have studied art can "touch the ground" to survive in troubled times. In order to save his descendants from disaster in a turbulent society, he wrote Yan Jiaxun according to history, reality and his own experience and lessons in educating children, managing families, dealing with life and cultivating self-cultivation, so as to "clean up the door and tear up his descendants".

There are twenty articles in Yan Jiaxun, covering a wide range, among which the thoughts on children's education still have certain reference significance for today's family education.

Yan Zhitui attaches great importance to children's education, especially preschool education. He believes that in the process of human development, childhood is an important stage to lay the foundation for life, and education at this time will receive very good results.

First of all, the psychological advantages of early childhood can achieve better educational results. "Young life, spiritual patent; If you want to escape when you grow up, you must teach early and don't miss the opportunity. " When children are young, they are psychologically pure and focused; When I grow up, I am distracted and my thoughts are difficult to concentrate. Yan Zhitui took his own experience as an example. He said, "When I was seven years old, I recited Lingguang Palace Examination. As for today, ten years have passed and I have never forgotten it; Twenty years later, the book I recited was abandoned in January, which was ridiculous. " It shows that when I was a child, I was less disturbed by the outside world and my memory was in a strong period. I can remember the learning materials firmly, so that I won't forget them for a long time. When you get older, your mind should not be concentrated and your memory will gradually decline. At the same time, "when people are young, their expressions are uncertain, the money they encounter is narrow, they are complacent, reasonable and subtle." In childhood, the child's concept has not yet been formed, and it is very plastic, and all kinds of influences on him will be formed unconsciously. Therefore, for children's education, we must seize the opportunity and grasp the unique age stage of children in order to achieve the best educational effect.

Secondly, the influence of early education on children's future is beyond the reach of other age groups. "Young scholars, such as the light of the morning glow; Learning when you are old is like walking at night by candlelight. " In Yan Zhitui's view, learning from childhood is like the radiant light from the rising sun, and all knowledge can be illuminated by childhood efforts, leaving a deep impression. Studying when you are old is like walking at night with a candle in your hand. The light is weak and shaky, and you get very little. Therefore, Yan Zhitui believes that educating children, "When we reach the baby, know the color of people and know the mood of people, we will teach them to do what they want and stop them." Compared with how old you are, you can save the punishment. "If children lose the opportunity of early education, they will develop the habit of arrogance and slowness. Once they are trained and disciplined, they will be "killed without prestige, anger will increase and resentment will increase." "The reason why this happens is because a person's habits from childhood will form a psychological set, stubbornly accompanying him, and it is difficult to change. This is just like the words of Confucius quoted in Yan Jiaxun: "Less becomes nature, and habit becomes nature. "Yan Zhitui realized the influence of early education on people's future more than 1400 years ago, which has been gradually confirmed by the theory of modern child development psychology. Eriksson believes that the sense of trust, freedom and initiative gained in the education at the initial stage of life can help people's life development. Freud also believes that human development is an irreversible process, and may even lead to personality deviation because of missing a certain development stage or not being well satisfied.

In the 20th century, the theories of psychology and pedagogy pointed out through the study of human brain development that there is an optimal development period which is of great significance to the development of life within five years after birth. For example, about three years old is the best time for language development, four to five years old is the best time for image development, and five years old is the best age for mastering the concept of numbers. Judging from the law of children's development, the main task of educators is to grasp the critical period of children's development, especially the development of children's language, intelligence and thinking, which is more important in children's childhood.

Yan Zhitui's early education thought inspires us that in today's family education practice, educators should fully understand the laws of children's physical and mental development, make full use of the best period of children's development in all aspects, and educate children as soon as possible, so that children can form good study habits and living habits from childhood and lay a solid foundation for their future growth.