I've been reading this book for quite many times.
And everytime I read this book, my mind is really impressed with one person, and that person is
Sosaku Kobayashi.
He is really a great educator of children in many sense, in the book, Totto-chan used '' far sighted way'' to describe his teachings and I really agree with her. You see, all of his teachings and actions to childrens at Tomoe Gakuen are really impressive. He emphasised on music and the natural growth of children and in a correct way.
I'm sure there is a much more stronger way to describe his perfect teachings on the children but excuse me for my poor language expression. His vision of an ideal school makes me really admire him, even though he did not teach me before (it is definitely really fortunate if I could study at his school...), his ambition and effort put in are really something we should applaud for. He also helped to break the Barrier among those physically handicapped children from developing a kind of inferior complex among themselves when they grow up in the future, by making them swimming nakedly in the pool with everyone and helping them shedding off their shyness and body complex thinking. This act might seems nothing much But it really is a very effective method.
Also, his belief in Freedom in every children is very important and also very impressive.
He has helped children who are shy to talk in front of large crowds to erase off their fear and no-courage and no-confidence feeling. You see, the headmaster's way of having each student to speak Anything in front of whole school during lunch time has really trained them in their presentation skills and also most importantly, confidence, which are very importantly ''Teached'' at many schools from Secondary school an higher up. But, our current school of ''Teaching'' are really different and not at all close to the effectiveness of Sosaku's...not at all...
Also, I have a lot of feelings while reading this book...happiness, envy and sadness and many other.
I think modern parents should really read this book on their own and learn about the right way to properly teach their children and bringing them up.
For example, Totto-chan's mother, she did not tell Totto-chan she was expelled from her first school, only when she reached the age of 20. This action really helped Totto-chan a lot and shows how a good mother she really has.
You see, she might have said at that time while Totto-chan was still small, ''What's going to become of you? You've already been expelled from one school. If they expel you from the next? Where will you go?''
If her mother had spoken to her that time like this, could you imagine how wretch she will feel when she was entering to her new school? She wouldn't feel so excited and curious when she saw Tomoe Gakuen at first sight and her feelings on the first day will definitely be different and negative, leading her to develop a sense of self- inferiority. But, her mother is really nice and thoughtful, and this consideration has helped Totto-chan in having a healthy mindset as she grew up as well.
But, parents nowadays don't know how to bring up their children properly and often influenced their children with incorrect teachings. Mine is one example.
They say they had brought us up on hardship and we never pay them back or appreciates them. But, how sure are you that you brought us up correctly and we don't appreciate you?
Of course, we have to thank our parents, but you all have caused me to develop a kind of behaviour which has make me become a not-outgoing person and develop negatives emotions on me. I don't express things on the outside, but on the inside.
Maybe some of you reading what I write can't comprehend the important message I'm trying to convey but, I just wanted to tell you how Sosaku's every action on his student have played a immensely positive impact on the student as they grow up.
I have so much impressive things I want to talk about him but I don't know how to convey how great is he through my texts. I really hope everyone would read this book, regardless you are young or old, especially to Teachers and Parents worldwide. This book really tells us what Education really should be like.
Even though I'm not fortunate enough to be able to attend his school, but my ideal school for children is definitely like Tomoe Gakuen, a school where every children's talent and everything will be expressed and developed to the highest level...naturally. If his school still exists, I will definitely send my child in the future to that school. (I think you Sosaku Kobayashi will be very glad when you heard this sentence from anyone...right? ^_^)
When I read his biography in the book, I found out that he is also like me, Loves Music & Nature so much.
Then I started to see his Birthday and mine to see if I'm his reincarnate? Haha.
There are really many things people can learnt from reading this book.
Thanks everyone who participated in creating this book, this book which tells everyone who read, the right way to bringing up a children.
-In Memories of Sosaku Kobayashi-
At the center of the school was its founder and principal, Sosaku Kobayashi, whose love and respect for children clearly shaped the lives and outlooks of all who attended his Tomoe School.
