Summary

Eighty-one recommendations for enlightened ways of facilitating children’s learning fill the pages of The Tao of Teaching (Nagel, 1994). Nagel borrowed the eighty-one chapter format of the Tao Te Ching (pronounced dow deh jing) by Lao-tzu, translated as The Book of The Way, and philosophically presents select teaching ideals with real classroom examples to illustrate each precept.

The author acknowledges the master Lao-tzu as a Chinese wandering sage responsible for the founding principles upon which Taoism is based. Lao-tzu is believed to have been an older contemporary of Confucius (551-479 B.C.E.) yet their teachings are inherently different. Early on, Nagel reminds us that the “The Confucianist believes in the worldly affairs of a happy citizenry in an orderly, paternalistic system” and in contrast, Lao-tzu is credited with recording life observations where instinct, respect, virtue, individualism, and a “love of stillness” promote learning (p. 6).

The author briefly summarizes key Taoist concepts before launching into her collection of wise yet simple teaching practices, gleaned from personal experience and stories shared by three practicing teachers of children, each with over twenty-five years in the field.

Nagel, G. (1994). The Tao of teaching: The ageless wisdom of Taoism and the art of teaching. New York: Penguin Putnam Inc.