Janusz Korczak, an inspiring pioneer in residential youth care

Abstract

This article presents some of the central ideas in Janusz Korczak’s philosophy with respect to raising children in residential homes and elaborates on the significance of these ideas to the theory and practice of modern residential youth care. The central ideas discussed include 1. The importance of a comprehensive diagnostic attitude, 2. The significant roles the residential children have in relation to each other, 3. The view of child development as an active process and 4. The view of the child’s home as an active community. The author further shows that many issues in modern youth care can be traced to Korczak’s philosophy, including 1. Residential versus outpatient care, 2. Freedom versus tolerance, 3. Child-oriented versus family-oriented care and 4. A professional versus a personal view on youth care.