Developing autonomous children in the first school

Abstract

This paper is based on the premise that children's autonomy is a worthwhile aim for the first school, and poses two main questions: What do we mean by autonomy? What value does it have? The first part looks at the concept of autonomy from a philosophical standpoint, in an effort to analyse what may be meant by the term. It then relates personal autonomy to the values of society, by looking at the extent to which moral values may be seen as communal. The second part considers the value of autonomy as an educational aim, and suggests that independent thought and co‐operative social action are characteristics of the autonomous agent. Peer relationships are seen to be an important part of the development of such a person.