--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The really useful education is that which…" description: "\"The really useful education is that which follows the direction of the child's own instinctive interests, supplying knowledge for which it is seeking, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e61/bertrand-russell-69_children_the-really-useful-education-is-that-whic_190554.jpg" --- # The really useful education is that which follows the… ![“The really useful education is that which follows the direction of the child's own instinctive interests, supplying knowledge for which it is seeking, not dry, detailed information wholly out of relation to its spontaneous desires.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e61/bertrand-russell-69_children_the-really-useful-education-is-that-whic_190554.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e61/bertrand-russell-69_children_the-really-useful-education-is-that-whic_190554.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e61/bertrand-russell-69_children_the-really-useful-education-is-that-whic_190554.jpg) > “The really useful education is that which follows the direction of the child's own instinctive interests, supplying knowledge for which it is seeking, not dry, detailed information wholly out of relation to its spontaneous desires.” [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Education should align with a child's natural curiosity, providing knowledge they seek rather than irrelevant facts. **In simple terms:** Teach what children want to learn. Key Takeaway Follow children's interests. Themes education curiosity learning child development intrinsic motivation Mood inspired thoughtful Type pedagogical philosophical When to use this quote - classroom teaching - home schooling - after-school clubs - personal tutoring Key Concepts constructivism intrinsic motivation interest-driven learning Questions to Reflect On - How can teachers balance guidance with child‑led exploration? - What interests reveal underlying skills? A Different Perspective Children may lack the ability to identify deeper learning needs without guidance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Spontaneous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spontaneous/) ## Related quotes > [Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/ever-since-i-was-a-child-i-have-had-this-instinctive-urge-for-2/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/ever-since-i-was-a-child-i-have-had-this-instinctive-urge-for/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [The exercises of practical life are formative activities, a work of adaptation to the environment. Such adaptation to the environment and efficient functioning therein…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/the-exercises-of-practical-life-are-formative-activities-a-work-of/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [The only foundation for useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-only-foundation-for-useful-education-in-a-republic-is-to-be-laid/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Whatever happens to us, was a useful education.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/whatever-happens-to-us-was-a-useful-education/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [An educator should think of a child as a gardener thinks of a plant, as something to be made to grow by having the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/an-educator-should-think-of-a-child-as-a-gardener-thinks-of-a-plant/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [The criminal law has, from the point of view of thwarted virtue, the merit of allowing an outlet for those impulses of aggression which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-criminal-law-has-from-the-point-of-view-of-thwarted-virtue-the/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Love can only flourish as long as it is free and spontaneous; it tends to be killed by the thought that it is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/love-can-only-flourish-as-long-as-it-is-free-and-spontaneous-it-tends/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Love can flourish only as long as it is free and spontaneous; it tends to be killed by the thought of duty. To say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/love-can-flourish-only-as-long-as-it-is-free-and-spontaneous-it-tends/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [A man's acts are partly determined by spontaneous impulse, partly by the conscious and unconscious effects of the various groups to which he belongs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/a-man-s-acts-are-partly-determined-by-spontaneous-impulse-partly-by/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [The whole realm of thought and opinion is utterly unsuited to public control; it ought to be as free, and as spontaneous as is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-whole-realm-of-thought-and-opinion-is-utterly-unsuited-to-public/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [The idea of spontaneous generation of life in its present form is therefore highly improbable even to the scale of the billions of years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilya-prigogine/the-idea-of-spontaneous-generation-of-life-in-its-present-form-is/) [Ilya Prigogine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilya-prigogine/) > [I don't want to make myself sound that spontaneous, because I'm not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynne-rae-perkins/i-don-t-want-to-make-myself-sound-that-spontaneous-because-i-m-not/) [Lynne Rae Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynne-rae-perkins/) > [The observation of the way in which the children pass from the first disordered movements to those which are spontaneous and ordered -- this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/the-observation-of-the-way-in-which-the-children-pass-from-the-first/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Singing has always seemed to me the most perfect means of expression. It is so spontaneous. And after singing, I think the violin. Since…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/singing-has-always-seemed-to-me-the-most-perfect-means-of-expression/) [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) ## More by Bertrand Russell > [ If the State does not acquire supremacy over \[vast private\] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy-over-vast-private-enterprises/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [That the world is in a bad shape is undeniable, but there is not the faintest reason in history to suppose that Christianity offers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/that-the-world-is-in-a-bad-shape-is-undeniable-but-there-is-not-the/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [All movements go too far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/all-movements-go-too-far/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Those who advocate common usage in philosophy sometimes speak in a manner that suggests the mystique of the 'common man.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/those-who-advocate-common-usage-in-philosophy-sometimes-speak-in-a/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“Such, in outline, but even more purposeless, more void of meaning, is the world which Science presents for our belief. Amid such a world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/such-in-outline-but-even-more-purposeless-more-void-of-meaning-is-the/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Dr. Arnold . . . the admired reformer of public schools, came across some cranks who thought it a mistake to flog boys. Anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/dr-arnold-the-admired-reformer-of-public-schools-came-across-some/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Of all evils of war the greatest is the purely spiritual evil: the hatred, the injustice, the repudiation of truth, the artificial conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/of-all-evils-of-war-the-greatest-is-the-purely-spiritual-evil-the/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Aristotle maintained that women have fewer teeth than men; although he was twice married, it never occurred to him to verify this statement by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/aristotle-maintained-that-women-have-fewer-teeth-than-men-although-he/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [If an opinion contrary to your own makes you angry, that is a sign that you are subconsciously aware of having no good reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-an-opinion-contrary-to-your-own-makes-you-angry-that-is-a-sign/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [I cannot escape from the conclusion that the great ages of progress have depended upon a small number of individuals of transcendent ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/i-cannot-escape-from-the-conclusion-that-the-great-ages-of-progress/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [I think it would be just to say the most essential characteristic of mind is memory, using this word in its broadest sense to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/i-think-it-would-be-just-to-say-the-most-essential-characteristic-of/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [The newspapers at one time said that I was dead but after carefully examining the evidence I came to the conclusion that this statement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-newspapers-at-one-time-said-that-i-was-dead-but-after-carefully/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“Persecution is used in theology, not in arithmetic, because in arithmetic there is knowledge, but in theology there is only opinion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/persecution-is-used-in-theology-not-in-arithmetic-because-in/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“Many orthodox people speak as though it were the business of sceptics to disprove received dogmas rather than of dogmatists to prove them. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/many-orthodox-people-speak-as-though-it-were-the-business-of-sceptics/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [There is no greater reason for children to honour parents than for parents to honour children except, that while the children are young, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/there-is-no-greater-reason-for-children-to-honour-parents-than-for/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) [Explore all 1,620 Bertrand Russell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) ## More Children quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [It doesnt seem to me strange that children should like the macabre, the sensational, and the forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hecht/it-doesnt-seem-to-me-strange-that-children-should-like-the-macabre/) [Anthony Hecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hecht/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [My embarrassing confession is that my father is a 'Camelot: The Musical' obsessive. So as a child, when we were going to visit relatives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-chibnall/my-embarrassing-confession-is-that-my-father-is-a-camelot-the-musical/) [Chris Chibnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-chibnall/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [My school was one of the most beautiful places a child can grow up in. You are surrounded by nature - cats, dogs, birds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/my-school-was-one-of-the-most-beautiful-places-a-child-can-grow-up-in/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. I feel like little girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/as-a-child-i-had-a-lot-of-older-gay-men-taking-care-of-me-there-s-a/) [Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/) > [If my child had prejudice in his head, I'd be ashamed. I would see it as my failure as a parent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/if-my-child-had-prejudice-in-his-head-i-d-be-ashamed-i-would-see-it/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [“Children's lives are always beginning and adults' lives are always ending. Or is it the opposite? Your childhood is always ending and your adult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-espach/children-s-lives-are-always-beginning-and-adults-lives-are-always/) [Alison Espach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-espach/) > [As a child I was very involved with sports and I knew at age 9 that I wanted to be an Olympic champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-jones/as-a-child-i-was-very-involved-with-sports-and-i-knew-at-age-9-that-i/) [Marion Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-jones/) [Browse all 62,396 Children quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The really useful education is that which follows the direction of the child's own instinctive interests, supplying knowledge for which it is seeking, not dry, detailed information wholly out of relation to its spontaneous desires.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bertrand Russell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-really-useful-education-is-that-which-follows-the-direction-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Children" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-really-useful-education-is-that-which-follows-the-direction-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e61/bertrand-russell-69_children_the-really-useful-education-is-that-whic_190554.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e61/bertrand-russell-69_children_the-really-useful-education-is-that-whic_190554.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e61/bertrand-russell-69_children_the-really-useful-education-is-that-whic_190554.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The really useful education is that which follows the direction of the child's own instinctive interests…” — Bertrand Russell", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bertrand Russell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The really useful education is that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-really-useful-education-is-that-which-follows-the-direction-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-really-useful-education-is-that-which-follows-the-direction-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```