The Study On "Dagongbao" Children Supplement(1927-1931)

Since its inception in1902until today, without failure for100years,"Dagongbao" becomes the longest issue of newspapers as well as the most influential newspapers in China. In such a long history, it founded a variety of supplements, of which one is Children Supplement. While John Dewey, a famous American educator, came and visited China in1919, he brought the "children-centered" concept for children education. Thereafter, Chinese society set off a wave of "Child selfishness" ideas in the first half of the20th century with drastic change in children concept occurring. Children education then began to gain more attention, at the same time, children’s publications entered into a period of great development. It was in such a time period, in November of1927, when "Dagongbao" Children Supplement was founded. Until it ceased in November of1931because of war, the Children Supplement had published a total of470issues.Although the "Dagongbao" Children Supplement had existed for such a short period of four years, the research on it is still very meaningful with respect to the views of its academic and historical values. From the content point of view, it published a large amount of children work, from which we can see the living conditions and mindsets of children at that time. In addition, it can also serve as the testimony and practitioners of children concept. On the one hand, study of "Dagongbao" Children Supplement can enrich the research on children’s publications; on the other hand, it is also of positive significance. Although it is just one of a number of supplements, Children Supplement is, to some degree, special due to its reader group. As well, the study on it contributes to a wealth of research results of "Dagongbao".Studies are mostly limited to the overall views, but not much dedicated research on a particular children publication. Therefore, the study of a particular children publication can not only enrich historical research on children publication and journalism, but also provide a reference for the research on other children publications. The current study started with the founding background of "Dagongbao", with focuses on the changes in the children status and the development of children publications in the modern times as well as its operating conditions. It was then followed by some brief introduction on "Dagongbao" along with summarization of the operational principles and situations of Children Supplement. The second part of the study conducted a systemic literature analysis, and classified and summarized the main content of "Dagongbao" Children Supplement, which provided the foundation for further analysis of its features. The third part compared Child Supplements of "Dagongbao" and "Shenbao". It analyzed the main features of "Dagongbao" Children Supplement, from the author composing, layout language, and the ways of audience interaction, to educational thoughts. In the part, it lastly made an overall evaluation of "Dagongbao" Children Supplement, including the exposure and reflection of social reality by the supplement, as well as the reflection of the children status and dissemination of the "children-centered" concept.