During the early centuries of Christianity, education focused on interests of the church. Monasteries were centers of learning until the Crusades led to the establishment of schools and universities. Early Christian schools taught adults and later children about the new faith, adding reading and writing. Figures like Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Basil the Great emphasized connecting faith and knowledge, investigating ideas independently, using scripture as a textbook, and good habits being taught from a young age. Chrysostom believed teachers should lower themselves to students' level to elevate them and that religious instruction was essential to schoolwork.

1. Tips from the Early Church Fathers
During the first centuries, all education related to the interests of the
church. The monasteries were the sole centers of learning until the
crusades brought new life to education. Schools and universities were
then established. Eventually the Teutonic peoples (Germans, Anglo-
Saxons, Scandinavians) began to play a bigger part in education.
The Catechumen schools for adults--and later for children--first
taught people about their new faith; they later added reading and writing.
Previous to this, instruction was given by tutors or parents in
homes, or in pagan schools. Reading, writing, Scripture and Psalms
were taught first at Odessa's Christian Common School at the close of
the second century.
Clement of Alexandria (-)
• Faith is the cornerstone of knowledge.
• Mosaic law and heathen philosophy both prepared the way for
Christianity, which is the fulfillment of law and philosophy.
• He sought to harmonize philosophy and religion.
Origen (-)
• Never teach pupils anything that you do not yourself practice.
• The end of education is to grow into the likeness of God.

2. • Pupils must be taught to investigate for themselves.
• The teacher must seek to correct bad habits, as well as give instruction.
Basil the Great (-)
Basil urged the use of classic literature. He also said that:
• Punishment should be an exercise in self-command to help to
correct the fault--if a child has been quarrelsome, give him solitude
and fasting.
• The Bible should be the chief textbook.
• Good habits and right precepts should be taught while children
are young.
Chrysostom (-)
Educated in pagan schools, Chrysostom, an eloquent educator, kept
true to the faith of his devout Christian mother. He believed:
• The teacher should lower himself to the capacity of the pupils in
order to elevate them.
• The teacher must not do for the pupils what they can do for themselves.
• Teachers and parents must be the example of Christ. This is the
foundation.
• Mothers are the natural educators of children.
• Religious instruction is an essential factor of school work.
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