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Nov 10, 1483
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Major Contributions:
-Translated the Bible from Latin to vernaular language, allowing people to be educated in their own language.
-Advocated establishing schools to teach children how to read.
Influences on Modern Theorists
-Universal education
-Public support of education
-Teaching of reading to all children
-Adult literacy -
John Locke (1632-1704)
Major Contributions
-Said children are born as blank tablets, or tabula rasa
-Believed children's experiences determine who they are. Experiences are the basis of all learning
Influences on Modern Theorists
-Learning should begin early
-Children learn what they are taught, teachers literally make children
-It is possible to rear children to think and act as society wants them to -
John Comenius (1592-1670)
Major Contributions
-Wrote Orbus Pictus, the first picture book for children
-Thought early experiences formed what a child would be like
-Said education should occur through the senses
Influences of Modern Theorists
-Early learning helps determine school and life success
-Sensory experiences supprt and promote learning
-Believed teaching/learning should progress from easy to diffucult -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1746-1827)
Major Contributions
-Advocated natural approaches to child rearing
-Felt that children's natures unfold as a result of maturation according to an innate timetable
Influences on modern Theorists
-Natural approaches to education work best (e.g., family grouping, authentic testing, and environmental literacy). -
Johann Pestalozzi (1746-1827)
Major Contributions
-Advocated that education should follow the course of nature
-Believed all education is based on sensory impressions
-Promoted the idea that the mother could best teach children
Influences on Modern Theorists
-Family-centered approaches to early childhood education
-Home schooling
-Education through the senses
-Laid the basis for discovery learning
-Believed in the idea that when children can represent their experiences through draing, writing, etc. -
Robert Owen (1772-1858)
Major Contributions
-Held that environment determines children's beliefs, behaviors, and achievements
-Believed society can shape children's character
-Taught that education can help build a new society
Influences on Modern Theorists
-Importance of infant programs
-Education can cunteract children's poor environment
-Early childhood education can reform society -
John Dewey(1859-1952)
Major Contributions
-Progressive education movement
-Children's interests form the basis of the curriculum
-Educate children for today -- not tomrrow
Influences on Modern Theorists
-Child-centered education
-Curriculum based on children's interests
-Discovery learning -
Jean Piaget(1896-1980)
Major Contributions
-Theory of cognitive development based one ages and stages
-Children are "little scientists" and literally develop their own intelligence
Influences on Modern Theorists
-Constructivist approaches to early childhood education
-Active involvement of children in learning activities