The History of Early Childhood Education

By eal29
  • Period: 1483 to 1546

    Translation of the Bible to Vernacular Language

    Martin Luther translated the bible to vernacular language, so that everyone had the opportunity to read it in their native tongue. He translated the bible into German, which marked the real beginning of people teaching and learning in their native language. He wanted to give people more control over their own educations.
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    The First Picture Book for Children

    John Comenius wrote "Orbis Pictus", the first picture book for children. He believed that education should begin in the very early years of a child's life.
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    Tabula Rosa Theory Developed

    John Locke developed a theory that stated children are born as blank tablets, or "tabula rosa". He believed that all children's experiences determine who they are, because experiences are the base of all learning. He believed that environment and experience literally form the mind.
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    The Birth of Kindergarten

    Friederich Froebel founded the first Kindergarten, or "garden of children", as he would say. He used a term called "unfolding", to describe the nature in which children develop. He compared children to growing plants, and believed that they can and should learn through play.
  • Universal Preschool

    The first known idea for Universal Preschool came about in 1830, in Boston, Massachusetts. The Infant School Society of Boston submitted a petition to add infant schools into their pre-existing Boston Public schools.
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    Progressive Education Movement

    John Dewey believed in educating children for the present, not the future. He is said to have done more than any other person in history to redirect the course of education in the United States. He came up with the idea of child-centered curriculum and schools -usually referred to as "progressivism". Dewey's theory emphasizes children and their interests, rather than just subject matter in the classroom.
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    Montessori Education Method

    Maria Montessori introduced the Montessori method for educating young children. She was the first woman in Italy to receive a degree in the medical field. Montessori soon became interested in educating students with disabilities. She believed that learning materials should meet the needs of young children, and that a respect for all children is the foundation for adequate teaching. The first school of it's kind was called Casa Dei Bambinin, or "Children's House", in which she tested her ideas.
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    Socioculture Theory

    Lev Vygotsky created the socioculture theory, which emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships in the development of young children. He also created the concept of the zone of proximal development, which suggests that a child can learn more with the help of a more competent person. Vygotsky believed that these communications and interactions, between teachers and children, will lead to scaffolding to higher levels of growth and development.
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    Ecological Theory

    Urie Bronfenbrener regards children's development to be within the context of the "systems of relationships" that form their environment. These relationships include the child, family, and community. The five systems mentioned are referred to as the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and the chronosystem. He believed that development is heavily influenced by children and their environments.
  • Theory of Multiple Intelligence's

    Howard Gardner came up with the theory of multiple intelligences, suggesting that instead of relying solely on one definition of intelligence we can be intelligent in various ways. According to his theory, intelligence consists of nine different abilities: visual/spatial, verbal/linguistic, mathematical/logical, bodily/kinesthetic, musical/rhythmic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, naturalistic, and existential intelligence's.
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    Civil Rights Act of 1964

    In the 1960's, American Education was forever changed through the Civil Rights Movement. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 included a provision that protects the rights of people in public facilities, such as schools. It was not until 1972 that Congress amended the Civil Rights Act.
  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act

    The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was passed by Congress in 1965. This act serves to better fund both primary and secondary education.
  • The Education of All Handicapped Children Act

    The Education of All Handicapped Children Act (EAHC) was passed as law by Congress in 1975. EAHC mandates that states must take measures to ensure free appropriate public education (FAPE) for all children with disabilities, in order to receive federal funding.
  • No Child Left Behind Act

    The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is a re-authorization of the 1965 ESEA, which came about in 2001. This act emphasizes accountability through testing in American schools.
  • American Reinvestment and Recovery Act

    This act provides funds for education, with at least half of the money going to local school districts to prevent layoffs, and for the modernization and repair of schools. This act provided $97.4 billion to American schools by the year 2010.