“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.”
- July 26, 1875 – June 6, 1961
- Born in Switzerland
- Psychiatrist and psychologist
- Founded analytical psychology and proposed the concepts of archetypes and the collective unconscious
Quote
“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.”
Explanation
In this quote, Carl Jung highlights the importance of emotional connection in the process of learning and personal development. While intellectual knowledge (the “curriculum”) is important, it is the emotional warmth and the human connection provided by teachers that truly nourish the soul and facilitate growth. Jung compares the child to a growing plant, suggesting that just as a plant requires more than just soil and sunlight to thrive—nourishment, care, and attention are also essential—so too does the child need more than just academic content to flourish. The “warmth” refers to the teacher’s ability to reach the emotional and psychological needs of the child, offering compassion, understanding, and encouragement. These emotional bonds allow the child to feel safe, valued, and motivated to learn, creating a holistic approach to education where both intellect and emotional well-being are nurtured.
Historically, this aligns with Jung’s belief in the integration of the rational and emotional aspects of the psyche. He recognized that intellectual growth is only part of the process of individual development, and that the emotional and relational aspects of a child’s experience are just as crucial in shaping their sense of self and purpose. Jung believed that the development of the personality and soul requires a balanced environment, one in which children are encouraged not only to think and reason but also to feel and connect with others in a meaningful way. Teachers who touch the human feelings of their students are fostering emotional intelligence and empathy, which are essential for a child’s overall development. Jung’s emphasis on warmth is a reminder that learning is not just about the transfer of knowledge, but also about cultivating a supportive, nurturing environment that allows children to thrive emotionally and socially.
In contemporary education, Jung’s quote speaks to the growing recognition of the importance of emotional intelligence in schools. Research in educational psychology has shown that when teachers form strong, empathetic relationships with their students, it leads to better outcomes in terms of motivation, self-esteem, and overall academic performance. Social-emotional learning (SEL) programs, which emphasize the development of emotional and interpersonal skills, are now widely recognized as crucial components of a well-rounded education. Jung’s insight remains highly relevant in today’s world, where the pressure on students to achieve academically is often intense. His quote reminds us that true education involves nurturing the whole child, fostering a learning environment where both intellectual and emotional growth are supported.
