"Life education" is the core of Chen Heqin's educational thought. The content of "life education" is very rich, mainly including teleology, curriculum theory and teaching theory. The purpose of Chen Heqin's "life education" is to be a man, a China person and a modern China person. Among them, "being a modern China person" includes five conditions:

First, we must have a sound body;

Second, we must have the ability to build;

Third, we must have creative ability;

Fourth, we must cooperate;

Fifth, we should be willing to serve the society and the people. Obviously, these five conditions reflect the requirements of all-round development of morality, intelligence and physique.

In view of the fact that traditional education regards books as the only material for school study and reading and teaching as the content of school education activities, Chen Heqin summarized "nature and society are living materials" as the curriculum theory of "living education".

"Living teaching materials" do not deny book knowledge, but pay attention to children's operation and exploration spirit in natural society, emphasize the importance of children's contact with natural and social experience and knowledge, and advocate the combination of book knowledge and children's direct experience.

If children can understand the growth process of frogs, they should provide them with tadpoles: by observing the process that tadpoles grow hind legs first, then front legs, and finally become small frogs, they can gain real experience, which can stimulate children's interest in learning and research spirit.