Summerhill School: A New View of Childhood

Summerhill School: A New View of Childhood
Average customer rating:

A great ideal to aspire to

Where will the children play (and learn)

Best Childrearing Book To Date

anarcho-syndical-communist, not a socialist

Now this is an education!

Summerhill School: A New View of Childhood
A. S. Neill
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Policy | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Elementary School | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Europe & Eurasia | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Awareness

Awakening: Conversations with the Masters

The Unprocessed Child: Living Without School

Taking Flight

The Song of the Bird

ASIN: 0312141378

Book Description

Originally published in 1960, Summerhill became an instant bestseller and a classic volume of education for an entire generation. Now, this thoroughly expanded and revised version of the original Summerhill reinstates the revolutionary "free school" traditions begun by Summerhill's founder A.S. Neill.As American education lags behind the rest of the world, this new edition is more timely than ever. The children of today face struggles far greater than any previous generation and we, as parents and teachers, must teach them now to make choices for themselves and to learn from the outcome of their decisions.This classic work yet again invites a new view of childhood and presents an essential treatise that challenges us to rethink our approach to education.

Customer Reviews:

A great ideal to aspire to.......2007-01-21

Clearly public education cannot hope to replicate Summerhill's system of allowing children to go to class only when they want to. However, the message that could be applied to public education is that children do not need to be pressured into learning. Summerhill shows that, if you show children caring support, they will eventually come around and listen to your advice and respect the caring expectations (as opposed to demanding expectations) you have for their lives.

My vision of public education is one that does not use grades, evaluations and rewards to pressure students into learning. Education should not just be about preparing children to plug the open jobs in the economy; it should enable students to excel in all aspects of life within society: how to stay healthy, how to be a caring person, etc. These issues arise naturally out of studying subjects like biology and literature, but only when the emphasis is taken away from grading and rewards, which often overshadow the true benefits that education has to offer.

Where will the children play (and learn).......2006-12-24

In the time when education was to be the agent of change in an unjust society Summerhill was one of many experiments examining more humane ways to "educate" children. It was as idiosyncratic as its creator and much of that comes through in the book. The vision and passion of one man and the teachers and parents who believed in the process is clearly described here.
Today, when politicians are arguing that teachers need not be prepared to teach and that merely having a bachelor's degree is enough to educate students, Summerhill seems like a distant dream. The focus on understanding children and the ways they learn, grow and develop into confident adults seems so removed from a "No Child Left Behind" standardized test world.
Nontheless, this book should inspire parents and educators who can see the impact of this school on the children who attended it. The current work on democratic schools (see James Beane and Micheal Apple's work) and critical pedagogy (see Ira Shor's "When Students have power") are movements that take some of the the ideas and momentum of Summerhill's time and move them forward with new knowledge about learning. Long live education for change.

Best Childrearing Book To Date.......2005-06-24

Neill's message is to have faith in the child, respect the child and honor the child's proper developmental timetable. Neill was not an anarchist but a humanist and made a point to not impinge upon the child's natural unfolding by presenting premature responsibilities upon her or him. It is rare to find a school like Summerhill that respects a young person's childhood and innocence, that allows the child to grow and develop at his or her own pace.
I highly recommend Summerhill as an uplifting and enlightened treatise on children by an educator with experience and humanity that is largely unsurpassed by an educator.

anarcho-syndical-communist, not a socialist.......2003-02-15

I read the original "Summerhill" in 1980 when I was in high school. I was completely blown away by the concepts, despite the fact that I grew up in Sudbury, MA, where there was a similar school. I was lucky enough to be exposed to this environment of freedom and flourished in it. I would not have traded it for anything.

But I must disagree with the characterization of A.S. Neill as a socialist. He may have had socialist tendencies, but he was more a Paul Goodman-style anarchist. Socialism is the regulation and limiting of actions by certain parties; anarchism is the opposite -- the deregulation of everything. And this is the environment that A.S. Neill fostered at Summerhill, to his credit.

It's really sad that the trend in the United States is towards the very opposite: the complete regulation of children's lives, scheduled down to the minute with safety the being the top priority. This tendency is creating a generation of children who lack spontaneity and creativity.

We need more free schools like Summerhill.

Now this is an education!.......2002-10-19

I had a psychology professor of mine recommend this to me when I asked him how I could better raise my children. WOW! This book was filled with a lot of "different ideas." It certainly got me to look at my approach to child raising. I agreed with a lot of it. The one point that I didn't fully understand was the difference between freedom and license. Since I've read it I've had a lot more respect for my kid's views and opinions and have worked on letting them be themselves no matter how loud or crazy they might seem at the time. I learned that kids know what they need. I think the less afraid they are of me the more real they will be. I've already noticed a change in them since practicing some of these views. One night we had fun throwing rice crispy treats on the wall because I made them too goey and they were making fun of them, so I chucked one on the wall. My 4 year old asked me the other day when we were going to do that again. We had a blast! Before, that would have been taboo. We've always openly talked about sex, so that didn't change. I enjoy talking about things that are considered taboo because the more education I have the less intimidating the subject. I wish someone would have talked to me about sex and some other issues. It's much better learning than guessing. This is one of the most influential books I've read. I don't think the majority of people will agree with it. Many of his ideas rang true for me though. Excellent book!

Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child Rearing

Average customer rating:

A classic text that everyone should own
A necessary book for any parent
Not so radical, really!
I am a product of Neill's method of child rearing.
thumbs down

Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child Rearing
Alexander Sutherland Neill
Manufacturer: Hart Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:

Summerhill School: A New View of Childhood
Awareness
Sadhana
The Song of the Bird
Wellsprings

ASIN: 0805512993

Customer Reviews:

A classic text that everyone should own.......2005-05-22

I reread Summerhill after a lapse of many years. And the wisdom - and love of life - is as fresh as ever. Summerhill was not just a school, but a philosophy. Honest, sensible, and very much an advocate for life and the living.

A necessary book for any parent.......2002-05-30

A friend of mine gave me this book, and, after reading it, I remarked to him that, if it weren't against Neill's "principles of freedom," Summerhill should be mandatory reading for everyone who wants to become a parent, before they can have children! This was one of the best books I've ever read. I instantly recognized many elements in Neill's teachings, and realized my parents had used some of them in my upbringing. I have bought this book for all of my friends who have or plan to have children, and I plan to read my own copy over and over, as I raise my own. If more people knew about and studied Neill's teachings, the recent violence in schools would not exist, and our current society would be a much healthier and happier place.

Not so radical, really!.......2002-03-16

This book was given to me by a well meaning friend, who brought up her kids this way. I loved it and think that the titel should be revised "a sensible approach to child rearing". The book might be a little old but has not lost any of its appeal today. It is a valid, reassuring and very helpful guide to viewing child rearing from a new perspective for many - even today. It took me a while to track down some more copies of this book, but the chase was well worth it. I think I will keep this book for another 20 years and will return to it many times over, whilst raising my daughter...

I am a product of Neill's method of child rearing........2000-03-27

I am in college and in the process of reading this book for a book review for my parenting class. My mother recommended it to me because it was the book that she based her methods of child rearing after. I am 20 years old and number 7 out of the 8 children in my family. None of us are psychopaths, all of us are quite happy. My parents did give us a lot of freedom when we were being raised and am grateful to them for it. I love life and I love my family dearly. As I prepare for marraige and raising children, I am sure I will look to this book frequently for inspiration.

thumbs down.......1999-05-07

Thank you Mr. Neill for your contribution to the Columbine massacre. Your approach to child rearing has spawned such mentality, in my opinion.

Average customer rating:

The past is present and the child in you keeps asking "what if...?"

Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child Rearing
A. S. Neill
Manufacturer: Hart Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Similar Items:

Summerhill School: A New View of Childhood
The Unprocessed Child: Living Without School
Sadhana
How Children Learn (Classics in Child Development)
The Song of the Bird

ASIN: B000BKJDMK

Customer Reviews:

The past is present and the child in you keeps asking "what if...?".......2006-12-08

Scottish born psychologist (M.A., English) Alexander Sutherland Neill (1883-1973) penned a description of a school for independently normal children entitled "Summerhill," which is, as its subtitle states, a radical approach to child rearing. Curiously, Neill himself was originally a failure in school. The unorthodox and open Summerhill school was inaugurated in Germany in 1921, later moving to Austria, and then in 1924, to Leiston, Suffolk, England. Its motley array of pupils come from various lands, ranging in age from five to fifteen years old--therein divided into three age groups, of twenty-five boys and twenty girls.

A simplicity to read, the "Summerhill" book is endorsed in the foreword by legendary sociologist and psychoanalyst Erich Fromm (who is not the author of "Summerhill"). Fromm recapitulates what Neill's systematic principles in this volume are. In a nutshell: nourish the whole child's potential to love life intellectually, as well as emotionally; have him educated commensurate with his capacity, sans dogmatic disciplining; allow him to be free, but without encroaching on anyone; have the teachers maintain a transparency; encourage security in the pupil without resorting to submission and domination tactics, or utilizing guilt in one's methods; and advocate a theology of human freedom, not sinful suppression.

This book is divided into seven intriguing chapters, dealing with, respectively, activities at the school, rearing children, sexuality, theology and morality, problem issues for children, problem matters for parents, and lastly, questions and responses.

Many of the cherished positions of the giants in child and educational psychology are challenged in this book. For instance, Neill criticizes the system of directed play of Maria Montessori, M.D., where children are forced to learn by doing, which he contends is artificial; having no authentic creativity. Said system also monitors responsibilities given to youth, as well as dictating to them what the educator thinks they really want to do. Psychoanalysis founder, Sigmund Freud, inspired Neill, who adheres to the significance of childhood sexuality and repression, but found the former's theories had limited application, being based on studies conducted with aggressive, non-regulated children, unlike the free children at Summerhill.

Neill speaks glowingly of his comrade, psychiatrist Wilhelm Reich (founder of vegetotherapy--treating body and mind as one, by restoring energy flow through the release of bodily tensions), who believed that a child possessing freedom would not be afraid of life. Physically, the child plays more openly, without bodily stiffness or muscular armour acquired from moralistic training. He also learned from Reich that such self-regulated children accept discipline from adults when it carries no authority or fear, enabling them to trust people. This, along with approval and understanding, Neill thought, are crucial in rearing a felicitous child, who finds interest in what he does.

While perusing "Summerhill," I found myself stopping numerous times, pondering my own beliefs and values when Neill made one of his incisive asseverations--usually placed in italics. Perhaps the quintessential moment came in a section called "The Free Child" from the chapter, "Child Rearing," when the author said, "I believe that to impose anything by authority is wrong. The child should not do anything until he comes to the opinion--his own opinion--that it should be done." Therefore here the school is tailored to fit the child, not the child made to fit the school.

It should be said, that although "free," there are schedules and classes at Summerhill no student is coerced into attending, but they may be ejected by fellow pupils who feel a student is holding a class back. As well, there are safeguards for youngsters using dangerous shop machinery at Summerhill. And a caveat: as psychologist Thomas Gordon assures us in his landmark 1970's work "P.E.T. Parent Effectiveness Training," the Summerhill philosophy (which reiterates the concepts of the aforementioned) displays democratic principles in a somewhat therapeutic milieu, but where freedom is NOT tantamount to exorbitant permissiveness. Speaking again of freedom, that is precisely the way the school is governed, with everyone on faculty and each child--regardless of age, having the power to vote on concerns at its Saturday night General School Meetings!

The book concluded with queries and answers and it appears as if there is nothing ever confident Neill cannot handle. Regarding a question about children who talk back to instructors, well...that, according to the author, just never happens at Summerhill; otherwise, he remarked, the teacher is "a dud." As for a question on religious training, Neill responded by explaining how it produces neurotics, but he didn't discourage children from attending the church of their choice, either. Nevertheless, he believed that Summerhill treated children in a way that would please the Messiah.

If you, as an adult, wish to take another look at educating and bringing up children, consider reading A.S. Neill's book, "Summerhill," where the past is present and the child in you keeps asking "what if...?"

Hide Behind the Moon (Summerhill Secrets #8)

Average customer rating:

Hide behind the moon

Hide Behind the Moon (Summerhill Secrets #8)
Beverly Lewis
Manufacturer: Bethany House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Shadows Beyond the Gate (Summerhill Secrets #10)
Echoes in the Wind (Summerhill Secrets #7)
House of Secrets (Summerhill Secrets #6)
Windows on the Hill (Summerhill Secrets #9)
A Cry in the Dark (Summerhill Secrets #5)

ASIN: 1556618743
Release Date: 1998-04-01

Book Description

A long-lost, forbidden photo of their common ancestor send Merry Hanson and her Amish girlfriend Rachel Zook on a poignant and hilarious quest that could change their lives. Ages 11-14. Summerhill Secrets book 8.

Customer Reviews:

Hide behind the moon.......2000-01-14

This was a great book. Rachel (an amish girl) starts to mess with the modern world. Merry does some things to help, like take her picture, something forbidden to the Amish. Now, find out if Merry can get her friend out of this mess?

Whispers Down the Lane/Secret in the Willows/Catch a Falling Star/Night of the Fireflies/A Cry in the Dark (Summerhill Secrets 1-5)

Average customer rating:

Disappointed
A Preview of the Summer Hill Secrets collection

Whispers Down the Lane/Secret in the Willows/Catch a Falling Star/Night of the Fireflies/A Cry in the Dark (Summerhill Secrets 1-5)
Beverly Lewis
Manufacturer: Bethany House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Mystery | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Literature | Children's Books | Boxed Sets | Formats | Books

Religions | Children's Books | Boxed Sets | Formats | Books

Teens | Boxed Sets | Formats | Books
Similar Items:

Summerhill Secrets, Vol. 2 (House of Secrets / Echoes in the Wind / Hide Behind the Moon / Windows on the Hill / Shadows Beyond the Gate)
The Parting (The Courtship of Nellie Fisher, Book 1)
When the Morning Comes (Sisters of the Quilt #2)
Beginnings (Sommerfeld Trilogy #2)
Going Home (Brides of Webster County #1)

ASIN: 0764280295
Release Date: 1996-09-01

Book Description

Set in rural Pennsylvania's Amish country, SummerHill Secrets follows the true-to-life struggles and heartfelt triumphs of fourteen-year-old Merry Hanson. Preteen girls will come to love, laugh, and cry with the impulsive Merry as she encounters intriguing mysteries while also struggling to be the best she can be in God's eyes. Volume One includes the original titles Whispers Down the Lane, Secret in the Willows, Catch a Falling Star, Night of the Fireflies, and A Cry in the Dark.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointed.......2006-08-30

I think Beverly Lewis is one of the BEST authors! However, I was very disappointed to get this shipment. There was NO mention that these were children's books! In the future, I hope you will mention this in the description.

A Preview of the Summer Hill Secrets collection.......2000-07-19

These are exceptionally well written books! The story makes youfeel like you also have an Amish family as neighbors. You can learnabout a young girl's life and her many adventures with friends, school, and family. Although not everyone is facing the same dilemas as Merry ,the main character in these books, many can relate to having friendships that are worth a sacrafice. I recommend these books to everyone. It will keep you interested for hours.

Summerhill, For and Against: Outstanding Writers in Education, Sociology and Psychology Evaluate the Concepts of A.S. Neill

Average customer rating:

Summerhill, For and Against: Outstanding Writers in Education, Sociology and Psychology Evaluate the Concepts of A.S. Neill
A. S. Neill , Erich Fromm , and Nathan W. Ackerman
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Summerhill School: A New View of Childhood

Accessories:

Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers
Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 0671825585

House of Secrets (Summerhill Secrets #6)

Average customer rating:

VERY GOOD BOOK
Merry learns the power of prayer.

House of Secrets (Summerhill Secrets #6)
Beverly Lewis
Manufacturer: Bethany House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Mystery | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Mysteries | Teens | Subjects | Books

Mysteries | Teens | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Echoes in the Wind (Summerhill Secrets #7)
Hide Behind the Moon (Summerhill Secrets #8)
Windows on the Hill (Summerhill Secrets #9)
Shadows Beyond the Gate (Summerhill Secrets #10)
A Cry in the Dark (Summerhill Secrets #5)

ASIN: 1556618727
Release Date: 1996-09-01

Book Description

When Merry and her friend search for clues in the disappearance of Chelsea's mother, they find evidence of strange religious activities. Is Chelsea's mother involved in a cult? Ages 11-14. Summerhill Secrets book 6.

Customer Reviews:

VERY GOOD BOOK.......1999-10-31

This is an excellent book. It reminded me of me so much. I would have done the same thing for my or my best friends mom. Merry learns that God really does and answer prayers, and that is like me, too.

Merry learns the power of prayer........1998-08-05

When Merry learns that one of her friend's mother is missing she wants to help locate her. They decide to look for clues, while snooping her friend finds her mother's diary and reads some scary things. Merry learns that God really does answer prayer.

Echoes in the Wind (Summerhill Secrets #7)

Average customer rating:

Awesome Books!
READ THIS BOOK!
these books are my faveret!

Echoes in the Wind (Summerhill Secrets #7)
Beverly Lewis
Manufacturer: Bethany House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

House of Secrets (Summerhill Secrets #6)
Hide Behind the Moon (Summerhill Secrets #8)
Shadows Beyond the Gate (Summerhill Secrets #10)
Windows on the Hill (Summerhill Secrets #9)
A Cry in the Dark (Summerhill Secrets #5)

ASIN: 1556618735
Release Date: 1997-06-01

Book Description

A winter outing takes a disastrous turn when Merry falls through thin ice and is rescued by Levi Zook and Jon Klein. Can Merry come to terms with her complicated feelings for the boys? Ages 11-14. Summerhill Secrets book 7.

Customer Reviews:

Awesome Books!.......2006-02-08

I want to read this books soooo badly!!
They should soo make a movie of these books!

READ THIS BOOK!.......2000-07-04

THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD! ALTHOUGH I DO THINK MERRY SHOULD LIKE LEVI MORE AND GET RID OF JON. I ALSO THINK THESE BOOKS SHOULD NEVER END. AND I LOVE LEVI, ( THE AMISH ARE MOST ALWAYS CUTE.) VERRY GOOD!

these books are my faveret!.......2000-07-03

I love the romantic parts the best. And I love Levi Zook. I think that Merry should like Levi more, Merry should get rid of jon And Merry and levi should be together. I also think there should never be an and to these Awesome books. I totaly Adore these books. everyone should read them.

All the Best, Neill: Letters from Summerhill

Average customer rating:

All the Best, Neill: Letters from Summerhill

Manufacturer: Franklin Watts
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0531098222

Average customer rating:

Excellent

Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Childrearing
Alexander Sutherland Neill
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Similar Items:

Summerhill School: A New View of Childhood
Awareness

ASIN: 0671790013

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2006-05-22

An enlightened view of what is possible beyond "academic preoccupation". Neill is a man who truly understood human development.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books