The main characteristic of play - whether of child or adult - is not it content but its mode. Play is an approach to action, not a form of activity.
Jerome BrunerWe cannot, even given our most imaginative efforts, construct a concept of Self that does not impute some causal influence of prior mental states on later ones.
Jerome BrunerThe young child approaching a new subject or anew problem is like the scientist operating at the edge of his chosen field.
Jerome BrunerIt is sentimentalism to assume that the teaching of life can always be fitted to the child's interests, just as it is empty formalism to force the child to parrot the formulas of adult society. Interests can be created and stimulated.
Jerome BrunerI would urge that the yeast of education is the idea of excellence, and the idea of excellence comprises as many forms as there are individuals, each of whom develops his own image of excellence. The school must have as one of its principal functions the nurturing of images of excellence.
Jerome Bruner