Imagination of a Small Child

Imagination of a Small Child is a seminal work by Ruza Lerinc, originally published in 1937 in Belgrade, in Serbian. Translated by her niece, Mirna Kriznic Hirschl, this edition pays tribute to an exceptional scholar whose ideas were strikingly innovative for her time. The translation seeks to bring Lerinc's work beyond the boundaries of its original domain.

Conceived as a scientific exploration of how imagination shapes a child's understanding of the world, the book is grounded in extensive original research. Lerinc observed the behavior of young children in nursery and elementary schools and analyzed the childhood experiences of her students at the State School of Pedagogy. Her methodology included storytelling sessions, interviews, and analyses of children's drawings (many included here). The resulting work demonstrates an extraordinary insight into the child's psyche.

Fluent in several languages, Lerinc introduced her students to the most advanced pedagogical theories of her era, drawing on leading European authorities whose works had not yet been translated into Serbian. Imagination of a Small Child served a dual purpose: as an original scientific study and as a practical textbook for the education of future teachers. Remarkably, nearly ninety years after its publication, despite the vast advances in psychology, Lerinc's voice remains relevant and fresh.

This translation includes the pioneering article "Fairy Tale and the Child," which expands upon the book's chapter on fairy tales. Rejecting the traditional model of passive learning, Lerinc advocates for the child's participation and freedom of choice in play-an approach that anticipated key principles of modern reception theory and contemporary pedagogy by several decades. She argues persuasively for the essential role of fairy tales in fostering imagination, empathy, and the courage to dream boldly and pursue imagined possibilities with enthusiasm.

Lerinc's influence extended beyond pedagogy. She was actively engaged in progressive causes, including sobriety, women's rights, and social justice. A Jewish intellectual and a leader in the resistance, she was imprisoned and murdered by Nazi forces in the early months of World War II. Her death cut short a brilliant intellectual life. This translation is a work of love: an enduring acknowledgment of Ruza Lerinc's educational legacy and continuing inspiration.