The Century of the Child (eBook)

Ellen Key (1849–1926) was a Swedish feminist, writer, and educator, renowned for her contribution to child-rearing, educational theory, and the peace movement. Her seminal work, 'The Century of the Child' (1900), in which she envisioned the 20th century as a period where the rights, education, and wellbeing of children would gain unprecedented attention and importance, underlines her progressive view on childhood development. Key embraced a unique literary style that combined a romantic idealism with practical approaches to pedagogy, placing the needs and nature of the child at the forefront of societal progress. Her ideas were controversial and ahead of their time, emphasizing the individual value of each child and advocating for a child-centered approach to education, free from authoritarianism and rote learning. Ellen Key's influence resonated not just in Sweden but also internationally, as her works were translated into several languages, educating and inspiring reformers worldwide. She remains an important figure in the fields of child psychology and educational reform, and her writings continue to be pertinent and studied for their pioneering insights into the nurturing of the next generation.