Childhood Education

  • 1500

    Martin Luther

    In the 1500's Martin Luther (pictured above) introduced the
    concept of teaching kids how to read at a school that served that
    purpose. Luther believed that if people could read it would bring
    them closer to their religion and they would be able to read the
    Bible.
  • John Amos Comenius

    Known as the Father of Modern Education and was the first to recognize that the play of childhood was learning, produced the first children's picture book, "The World Illustrated".
  • John Locke

    His environmentalism theory suggested that what goes on around children and what they go through is where their knowledge comes from.
  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau

    In the mid 1700's the concept of naturalism was brought to light by
    Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Naturalism is a process for children to
    learn at their own pace in a natural, and comfortable setting. This
    would impact early childhood today by how the surroundings in the
    classroom would look: a lot of windows for natural light, bright
    colors, soft places to sit, and possibly a class pet.
  • Mary Wollstonecraft

    Believed educating women and people in general would improve society. The impact this would have on early childhood education would be the Head Start program and similar programs to help educate low income families and especially women.
  • Johann Pestalozzi

    Established what is considered to the first school to teach preschool age children.
  • Margarethe Schurz

    Started the first kindergarten in the United States. This school impacted early childhood education by opening the door to an education for America's young children.
  • Sputnik

    In 1958 after Sputnik went into space, it prompted the United
    States to offer a better education to its children in the subjects of
    math, science, technology, and engineering.
  • Head Start

    Is funded by the Economic Opportunities Act.
  • No Child Left Behind Act

    Bill is passed