Cai Yuanpei (1868- 1940), born in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, is a revolutionary, educator and politician. He spent his whole life laying the foundation for the new education system in China. Many of his insights, such as attaching importance to scientific research in universities, advocating "freedom of thought and inclusiveness", paying attention to developing students' personality and advocating "communication of arts and sciences", have great influence on future generations.

Cai Yuanpei's father is generous, easy-going and helpful, while his mother is diligent, virtuous and cautious. Cai Yuanpei, who has been exposed since childhood, has also developed a character of integrity. 1 1 years old, my father died of illness, and my mother took on the burden of the family. Although living in poverty, mothers attach great importance to moral education for their children and encourage them to stand on their own feet.

This idea of paying attention to personality cultivation and teaching students in accordance with their aptitude is naturally reflected in his family education for children. In life, Cai Yuanpei loves children very much and respects them very much. If he is interested in something and willing to learn, he will create conditions to satisfy it and cultivate it carefully.

At the same time, Cai Yuanpei is also good at grasping the opportunity to educate children's character. Once, the children sent their paintings to their father. Cai Yuanpei wrote back to the children after carefully reading each painting. In the letter, Cai Yuanpei gave appropriate comments and encouragement to each work, and also wrote inscriptions to encourage the three children. He asked his children to work hard, learn professional knowledge and benefit the society.

Cai Yuanpei's academic theory

His educational model is novel and eclectic, and he thinks that education is the foundation of a country's prosperity. Educational ideas are flexible and inclusive, not excluded by academic disputes, and widely absorb the strengths of various factions. "Educators, the cause of developing personality is also." He advocates that education should attach importance to students and oppose rigidity. He also advocated new educational ideas such as aesthetic education, health education and personality education.

Cai Yuanpei believes that education has two basic functions for society: one is to lead, the so-called "education guides society, not to follow society"; Second, in terms of service, "it is to cultivate a kind of talent in school and work in society in the future", or "it is to teach students or educate and study on the one hand and serve the society on the other".