First published in the mid 1960s, How Children Fail began an education reform movement that continues today. In his 1982 edition, John Holt added new insights into how children investigate the world, into the perennial problems of classroom learning, grading, testing, and into the role of the trust and authority in every learning situation. His understanding of children, the clarity of his thought, and his deep affection for children have made both How Children Fail and its companion volume, How Children Learn, enduring classics.
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About the Author
John Holt (1927-1985), one of this country’s leading educational and social critics, was the author of ten influential books which have been translated into fourteen languages. Known both as a passionate reformer and as ”the gentle voice of reason” (Life magazine), John Holt offers insights into the nature of learning that are more relevant today than ever before.
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51 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was struggling to teach seventh grade reading when I came across this book. It had been mentioned in a William Gaddis essay, so I picked it up and I can honestly say that it's changed the way I look at the world. Like all great books, it says things that seem to always have been under your nose, that always bothered you a little, and says them with such simplicity that you're not sure how you could have missed them.
Once Holt's ideas are in your head I assure you that they'll become part of your mental model of the way things work: every time I was in front of my classroom I could see my students reading me for answers, and engaging in a hundred games and subterfuges based on the anxiety caused by the way my school forced me to run things - along, of course, with what I had always assumed education had to be.
It bothers me that this book is given to teachers who agree with its observations but declare that the solution is not to create the sort of environment that Holt recommends, but to keep schools exactly the same and just make it harder for kids to fake the answers; to engage in a battle of wits to force them to think; and provide all sorts of unrelated incentives to get the students to try their hardest. This book forced me to look at how phony most of my teaching was, and I am confident that the solution does not involve putting a slightly new face to the phoniness.
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By Beth
Format:Paperback
This book is one of John Holt's earliest published works. At this stage he still thinks that schools are essentially very good (and very necessary) institutions with a few things wrong with them that it is quite possible to fix. Later he becomes disillusioned with that notion, and begins to advocate alternative schools. Eventually he realizes that the very nature of schooling and the assumptions it is built upon go against some of his most dearly held ideals, and he begins to advocate 'unschooling,' starting the publication "Growing Without Schooling" and the organization Holt Associates.
I think that this book is a valuable read if you want to understand the evolution of Holt's thoughts about education, but I would also recommend you take a look at his later works. Personally, I'm a big fan of "Teach Your Own."
I think that this book is a valuable read if you want to understand the evolution of Holt's thoughts about education, but I would also recommend you take a look at his later works. Personally, I'm a big fan of "Teach Your Own."
28 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book with its simple format and language has opened my eyes to possibilities and perspectives that I simply never thought of. As an educator, I think everyone in the world of education should read. From policy-makers to administrators to teachers to school psychologists, and very specially, parents, we all owe it to our children and to ourselves to become informed and critical about the efficiency (or the lack thereof) of our educational system. Especially at times, such as now, when our children seem to be failing more than ever. Holt's observations, although limited to private schools, provide one with a solid view of what is happening in the world of teaching accross the board. Holt makes and answers questions that are not only relevant to his subject but vital to the development of better teaching. Holt's idea that we don't know enough about student-teacher relationships could not be more accurate. I know this because I am an educator. I agree with Holt when he says that it is time that we look beyond ourselves and our own interest and begin looking at students with respect. As an insider, I couldn't help blushing while reading the reasons that Holt gives for children's failure in school. I was only able to nod my head positively when he said that teachers aren't listening to their students because they are only listening to what they want to hear. Another reason children fail, according to Holt, is that they are not being intellectually challenged enough at school. The conclusion made by Holt makes plenty of sense. Teachers definitely need to make every effort to free their teaching from ambiguity, confusion and self-contradiction. Besides teachers, the pointing finger also points to standardized exams. Standardized exams, I agree with the author, do not make our children more knowledgeable. Holt's final verdict is clear and pungent: Students are failing because adults-teachers, administrators, parents, policy-makers, etc.-are not doing their jobs. Although not a pleasant thing to hear (especially for those of us who have chosen to dedicate our lives to the education of our young), I am personally grateful to Mr. Holt for taking a bold stand to face us with our demons.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Poignant descriptions of young children struggling to learn
First published 1964 from notes made in what in England are called primary schools round about 1960. Read more
Published on July 11, 2010 by Rerevisionist
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Reference.
This is really a great book to have on hand when lost for ideas. It is one of many that I use for reference during the homeschooling year. Read more
Published on May 18, 2010 by Reign Chelsin
4.0 out of 5 stars
1 + 1 = Too Scared To Care
The late Mr. Holt's book is still very relevant after all these years. After applying some of his theories and asking questions to my two sons (age 10 and 9), I found that many of... Read more
Published on April 25, 2009 by Franklin the Mouse
4.0 out of 5 stars
Essential for teachers, homeschooling parents
Holt analyzes the classroom situation--in detail--taking care to think of the children, where they are coming from, decoding their emotions, understanding their fears. Read more
Published on August 6, 2008 by C. J. Fuller
4.0 out of 5 stars
Insightful
Having studied education and seen first hand the detrimental affect teacher-centered classes have on a child's potential, I have to say it's refreshing to read a THINKING person's... Read more
Published on October 30, 2007 by L W Storyteller
5.0 out of 5 stars
invaluable insight
All the years I've been "against" public school, they were for reasons I'd researched, or came from my own bad experiences and those of my child, and other reasons I just "felt"... Read more
Published on April 29, 2007 by J. Weed
3.0 out of 5 stars
Informative but.....
After spending a year volunteering weekly in my sons class and then reading this book I found that what the author observed was exactly what I too saw in the classroom. Read more
Published on November 4, 2006 by Mandy
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Very Good Teacher Tool
After reading this book I came to the conclusion that it deserves four stars. I recommend this book for teachers and students because the information that this book contains gives... Read more
Published on February 28, 2006 by John Tien Vu
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Truth
We think that John Holt's book shines a clearer light on how children, teachers, and schools fail. He gives great examples on how teachers go wrong and gives even better examples... Read more
Published on February 28, 2006 by Sharika
3.0 out of 5 stars
Just Not Enough!!
How Children Fail by John Holt was a good book for teachers. I didn't like how the book was journal style. Read more
Published on February 28, 2006 by Kayla and Jannelly
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