Mr. Tao Xing-zhi was born into a peasant’s family in the poverty-stricken countryside in the old China. His family was poor, yet he was very interested in learning during his childhood. In so doing, he laid a good foundation for his Chinese lean1ing and thus his thoughts and emotions were deeply rooted in the Chinese traditions.
Through some ins and outs, he entered Nanjing University. There he worked very hard, showed a zeal for social welfare and gave attention to the current affairs. With the breakout of the Revolution of 1911, he went down to the countryside to join the revolution and then returned to the school to continue his 1earning. In 1914, he graduated from the university as top one student with the highest score of all the courses.
　 Later, he went to America for further study. He worked very hard on the part-work and part-study basis. His personality, ability, learning and experience were greatly improved. In 1917,he returned his homeland after completing his studies and devoted himself to education.
Mr. Tao had completed three leaps from his youth in Anhui culture to Nanjing university and then to Columbia university.
　 1. Going to school at hometown
　 2. Pursuing studies at Nanjing
　 3. Touring America for further study
　 Educational essence: Education is growth
　 Children-centered
　 Education is life
　 School is a society
　 Education is a continuous reconstruction of experience
　 Learning by doing: 1.Situation of doubt; 2.Determination of doubt; 3.Hypothesis to solve the doubt; 4.Deduction; 5.Testing.