In Yan Zhitui's view, the characteristics of children's early psychological and thinking development determine the necessity and importance of early education. He believes that children are still in the development stage of "amorphous body", which is plastic enough to be imperceptible. He also described his learning experience, and proved the good effect of early learning and education with the strong contrast of memory at different ages. So Yan Zhitui claimed that "children are like the light of the rising sun".
Educational content: comprehensive morality and art
In the aspect of moral education, he inherited the traditional Confucian thought, emphasized filial piety and benevolence, established the belief of benevolence and righteousness is an important task of moral education, and practiced benevolence and righteousness is the ultimate goal of moral education.
The education of "art" mainly focuses on literature and art, including books such as classics and history, as well as miscellaneous arts needed by literati's life. Moral education and art education are interrelated, and knowledge education is the foundation and service of moral education.