Approaches to child education in ottoman Istanbul 1860-1914

The Ottoman Empire made an intense effort to modernise in the 19th century. The realisation that a modern education was essential for a modern state made raising well-equipped and cultured individuals the main goal. Thus, some understandings emerged for the education of children with modern methods, including basic care from birth. The intellectuals of the period tried to convey the European methods, which they followed in whole or in part, to the public, especially through printed publications. As much as children, it was also important for their parents to acquire a modern identity and periodicals helped them in this direction. In particular, women were encouraged to adopt the modern mother figure in order to raise the targeted modern generations in a faster and easier way. From the tools used in childcare to the publications they would read, the food they would consume, the games and toys they would play, the preferences of children and parents in many areas were tried to be shifted to a modern understanding and European products with scientific data. Of course, in this process, there were also approaches that were opposed to European-style education methods. Considering those who combined both understandings with certain aspects, it can be seen that different approaches to child education, especially centred in Istanbul, have coexisted since the mid-19th century. The literate society of the period, especially through periodicals, tried to guide families, especially mothers, whom they chose as their target audience, within the framework of these approaches. In this study, which is based on periodicals published in Istanbul, it is argued that as of the mid-19th century, those who raised their children within the framework of modern approaches and those who found it more appropriate to maintain traditional approaches and combined certain aspects of both approaches lived together and influenced each other over time. Keywords: Ottoman Empire, Child, Education, Modernisation, Parent