Gijubhai - A Multifaceted Writer

In the short period from 1920 when he embarked on his mission, till his death in 1939 at the age of 54 years Gijubhai not only pursued his passion for, and practice of, his vision of pre-school education and child development, but he also wrote prolifically for children, teachers and parents.

Combining his clarity of thought and his passion to share ideas with his gift for words, Gijubhai’s writing reaches out to diverse audiences in a style and language that each can easily relate to.

In his writing for children he uses words playfully to conjure up fantastic tales, but also to share keen observations about nature, people and places. These include verse, humour, and an invitation to the reader or listener to participate. Gijubhai was also a wonderful letter writer and his letters also reflect all these qualities. In his writing for parents he uses simple, often colloquial Saurashtra dialect, and familiar examples from everyday situations to communicate important principles of child development, and practices of child upbringing.

In his writing for teachers he translates the essence of the Montessori philosophy and methods into the appropriate language and approach for an average primary school teacher. In his essays and articles in Shikshan Patrika and Dakshinamurti he records his observations of child behaviour, and also attempts to connect these with psychology and pedagogy.