From Two to Five

Kornei Chukovsky, Miriam Morton

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Year: 2024
• Print ISBN: 9780520361959
• eBook ISBN: 9780520316300
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Psychology
• Subtopic: Developmental Psychology
• Index: Psychology

Discover the enchanting and insightful world of childhood in From Two to Five by Kornei Chukovsky, a beloved classic that delves into the whimsical yet profound ways young children perceive and interact with the world. This timeless book captures the linguistic genius, poetic inclinations, and boundless imagination of children as they navigate the formative years of language acquisition and creative thought. Through rich anecdotes, sharp observations, and a deep respect for the innate brilliance of young minds, Chukovsky illuminates the intricate processes by which children develop their understanding of speech, storytelling, and self-expression. From Two to Five offers a unique blend of scholarly insight and heartfelt narrative that appeals to parents, educators, and anyone fascinated by the wonders of childhood. With its vivid exploration of children's natural affinity for nonsense rhymes, poetic rhythms, and imaginative play, this book is both a celebration of childhood and a gentle critique of overly rigid educational systems. Enhanced by a skillful and thoughtful translation, Chukovsky's reflections inspire readers to embrace the joy, curiosity, and creativity that define the early years of life. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or simply curious, this book offers an unforgettable journey into the republic of childhood. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1963.

Many titles in the Voices Revived program are also newly available as ebooks, offered at a discounted price to support wider access to scholarly work.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• A Linguistic Genius I Listen …
• Imitation and Creativity
• Children as “Critics” of Adult Speech
• Camouflaging Ignorance
• Teaching the Child Proper Speech
• CHAPTER II The Tireless Explorer
• His Search for Certainty
• One Hundred Thousand Why’s
• About the Beginning and the End of Being
• The New Era and Children
• CHAPTER III Children and Their Poetry HOW CHILDREN MAKE UP VERSE Rhythm
• First Poems
• Education for Poetry
• More about First Attempts at Composing Verse
• Before and Now
• CHAPTER IV The Sense of Nonsense Verse
• A Letter
• Timoshka on a Pussycat
• Children and “Topsy-Turvies”
• The Educational Value of Topsy-Turvies
• The Ancestors of the Enemies of Nonsense Verse
• CHAPTER V The Battle for the Fairy Tale THREE STAGES A Discussion about Munchausen (1929)
• “There Is No Such Thing as a Shark”
• It Was Time To Get Wise (1934)
• Narrow-minded Methods of Criticism (1956)
• CHAPTER VI
• Conversation with Beginners "COMMANDMENTS” FOR
• We Learn from Folklore and from Children
• Imagery and Action
• Music
• Rhymes—Poetic Style
• Young Children Reject Adjectives
• Poems for Play and Games
• The Last “Commandments”
• Notes