Fundamental Pedagogy Jana Doležalová

Application Tasks 
1. Read a book of your choice (be it a book by a contemporary or past 
author) which describes the methods of education, upbringing and 
instruction in the given environment and the given era. Write down 
interesting sections and characterise the selected type of education.
2. The story of the so-called ‘wolf-like children’ as described by J. 
Langmeier and Z. Matějček in their book 
Výpravy za člověkem 
[
Exploring a Man] (1981) clearly show that children who lost their 
parents at an early age and grew up outside the human society have 

---

11 
never become full-fledged people or had big problems when living 
with other people. Try to explain why it is so. 
3. Likewise, watch the French film 
L´Enfant sauvage [The Wild Child] 
(1970) directed by F. Truffaut or the US drama 
Mockingbird Don't 
Sing (2001) directed by H. B. Davenport which depict real cases of 
feral children and explain why these children were ‘wild’.
Review Questions 
1. Why is education a specifically human activity? 
2. What is the essence of education? 
3. Why do people need education? 
4. What science studies education? 
Summary 
People cannot do without education, which is why they apply it in their lives. 
Education has been part of the entire human history and one’s entire life. Its 
targeted and well-considered nature which focuses on the development of 
individuals differentiates education from other activities and impacts. 
Education is primarily vital and indispensable in childhood. It focuses on 
shaping the relationships toward all important conditions in life – toward 
oneself, other people and the nature around. Objectives, content and means 
of education change throughout the development of mankind. 
Literature 
HOLOUŠOVÁ, D., GRECMANOVÁ, H., URBANOVSKÁ, E
. Obecná pedagogika 
I. Olomouc: Hanex, 1998. 
LANGMEIER, J., MATĚJČEK, Z. 
Výpravy za člověkem. Prague: Odeon, 1981. 
PAŘÍZEK, V. 
Základy obecné pedagogiky. Prague: PF UK, 1996. 

---

12