Were You Ever a Child?

Name: Were You Ever a Child?
Author: Floyd Dell

By Floyd Dell

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Teaching & Education

About This Book

This book offers a lively critique of conventional schooling and outlines progressive, child-centered alternatives developed in experimental schools. The author examines the child, the school building, teachers, textbooks, and the culture that canonizes rote learning, arguing for learning through play, work, artistic expression, drama, curiosity, and the right to be wrong. Chapters consider practical reforms—the Gary plan, vocational learning, and democratic responsibility—and reflect on how education might better align with modern life. The tone is conversational and polemical, combining practical suggestions with philosophical reflections on love, enterprise, and community in education.

About the Author

Floyd Dell

Floyd Dell was an American author and playwright known for his contributions to early 20th-century literature. His works often explore themes of social reform and feminism, reflecting the progressive ideas of his time. Dell's notable plays include "King Arthur's Socks and Other Village Plays" and the comedy "Sweet and Twenty: A Comedy in One Act." He also wrote novels such as "The Briary Bush," which delve into the complexities of human relationships. In addition to his fiction, Dell's essays, particularly in "Women as World Builders: Studies in Modern Feminism," highlight his advocacy for women's rights and their role in society. His diverse body of work continues to resonate with readers interested in social issues and literary innovation.