An exhibition on family education in Beijing Photo: IC PHOTO

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Over the course of more than 5,000 years, Chinese civilization has accumulated a wealth of wisdom in family education. Its principles of self-cultivation, setting moral examples, and governing both family and society have long guided individuals, households, and the broader community.

Stressing virtue, etiquette, learning

Traditional Chinese family education holds that parenthood extends beyond giving birth and raising a child to adulthood. Parents are also expected to serve as mentors, instilling virtue, refining conduct, and nurturing a sense of duty so that their children grow into individuals who uphold loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness.

Moral cultivation is at the heart of traditional family education. Virtue is not abstract theory or empty rhetoric; it manifests in upright and honest conduct, humility in dealings with others, and disciplined self-cultivation.

Educating children to behave properly is likewise essential. The “Internal Rules” in the Chinese classic Book of Rites sets age-specific behavioral development goals, beginning with “being able to speak and act” to teach appropriate speech and conduct. In Guanzi, the chapter “Duties of Disciples” outlines detailed behavioral norms for students, specifying etiquette in receiving instruction, greeting guests, sitting in attendance, entering and exiting, and maintaining cleanliness. In later dynasties, children’s primers comprehensively codified standards for dress, speech, posture, household chores, and academic habits, ensuring that moral discipline was ingrained from an early age.

A deep reverence for literature and scholarship is another hallmark of traditional Chinese family education. Confucius admonished his son, Kong Li, “Without studying the Book of Songs, one cannot speak; without studying the Book of Rites, one cannot stand.” This established the tradition of passing down classical learning and ethical instruction within families. Under the enduring influence of Confucianism, diligence in study became a central theme of family education. Within this cultural framework, generations of Chinese youth have drawn inspiration from literature, set lofty goals through learning, and regarded scholarship as a means of serving both family and country.

Emphasizing family rules, precepts

Family rules and precepts serve as essential guidelines for maintaining stability, harmony, continuity, and prosperity within a household. They regulate the thoughts and behaviors of family members, influencing their character development over time. As a significant expression of traditional family education, these teachings exert a subtle yet profound influence through constant exposure. Since ancient times, from renowned scholars to ordinary citizens, Chinese society has placed great importance on cultivating a positive family atmosphere through such principles. Sages incorporated insights on life, moral cultivation, and codes of conduct into family teachings, providing future generations with valuable intellectual guidance on household management, career building, and personal conduct.

Traditional family precepts have been preserved in two primary forms: written documents composed by family elders, which serve as instructional and regulatory texts, and oral traditions passed down through encouragement, admonitions, and last words from departing parents. The earliest known family precept text, Bao Xun (Precious Instructions), was written over 3,000 years ago by King Wen of the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE) as he imparted governance principles and moral philosophy on his deathbed to his son, King Wu. In the centuries that followed, numerous family precept texts emerged, including classics such as Precepts of the Yan Family, Behavioral Model of the Yuan Family, and Maxims of the Zhu Family. These works organically integrate self-cultivation, family governance, and broader societal responsibilities, serving as models for generations. Their educational role extends beyond behavioral refinement to fostering a strong sense of duty to both family and nation, as well as shaping moral character.

Integrated into daily life

Traditional Chinese family education is deeply intertwined with daily life, emphasizing the cultivation of values through lived experiences. By embedding moral instruction in everyday activities—such as clothing, diet, and household routines—families nurture distinctive spiritual and cultural identities in younger generations.

Living spaces, for example, were carefully designed to reinforce familial and moral values. Traditional Chinese architecture placed great importance on creating meaningful spatial environments, with ancestral halls, family temples, and central halls as focal points in family residences. These spaces were often named with symbolic expressions such as yanshi (extending generations), shijian (learning frugality), and liufang (enduring legacy), reflecting reverence for lineage and aspirations for future generations. Ancestral portraits, family mottos, and precepts were prominently displayed within these halls, cultivating an atmosphere of solemnity, respect, and moral introspection. The immersive environment subtly influenced younger family members, reinforcing values through daily exposure.

In traditional society, festivals and communal activities also played a crucial role in family education. These celebrations, rooted in agricultural cycles, seasonal changes, religious beliefs, and historical commemorations, served as both cultural expressions and moral lessons. Ancestors placed great emphasis on the ceremonial aspects of these events, using them as opportunities to instill ethical values and reinforce family traditions.

Ultimately, traditional Chinese family education embodies a moral philosophy focused on the pursuit of virtue and the principles of mutual love and care, shaping the spiritual qualities that define the Chinese nation. These rich legacies encapsulate ancient educational wisdom and serve as invaluable resources for contemporary family education, deserving creative inheritance and transformation.

Jiang Yufeng is an associate professor from Zhejiang Normal University.

Edited by CHEN MIRONG