The Directions of Child Care Activity in Ukraine at the Beginning of the 20 th Century

Abstract

Human personality and health are believed to be the most significant values in modern world. At the same time many scientists note the uniqueness and importance of childhood in the process of human development, as it is in childhood when the foundations for further life are laid: the most active development of all personal qualities, physical and mental health occurs. Thus, it is necessary to take certain steps to maintain children’s health and create conditions for their future successful life. From this point of view, it is useful to study the experience of child care steps taken in different counties of the world and during different historical periods. It would help to analyze advantages and disadvantages of certain measures and determine the possibilities of their use in modern conditions. This paper has been written on the basis of archive materials of the State Archive of Kharkiv Region and the State Archive of Odesa Region and reveals the directions of child care activity implemented by the government and social organizations in Ukraine at the beginning of the 20th century. These directions are patronage, children’s feeding, lease of apartments for children, providing children with financial support, taking steps aimed at strengthening of children’s health, support of the courts for juvenile offenders. It should be noted that the directions depend greatly on children’s peculiarities, local living conditions and specific features of organization of educational process at children’s establishments. That is why the realization of the directions can differ in certain situations.