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Period: 1483 to 1546
Martin Luther
He believed it was important for children to read so he established schools for them to learn. It began with Luther translating the Bible to German, making the point that people should learn the Bible in their native language. He felt this encouraged people to learn to read. -
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John Locke
He had the theory that every child was born as “blank tablets” or “tabula rasa”. His theory believed that every child developed through stimulation they received through interactions, experiences, and the environment. -
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Johann Prestalozzi
Prestalozzi believed children could reach their natural potential with the help of sensory experiences. He promoted the idea that children who were provided with love and in a family-like environment, who grow and flourish naturally. -
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Friedrich Froebel
He compared children to growing plants because he believed a child learning was a child unfolding. He believed children should be taught what they are ready to learn and when they are ready to learn it. Froebel was known as the “father of the kindergarten” and developed a the kindergarten program for young children. He also developed a system for training the kindergarten teachers. -
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Maria Montessori
She developed the Montessori system for educating young children. Her method of education involves children learning through sensory-motor activities. Montessori believes that “prepared environments are essential for leaning”. -
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Jean Piaget
Piaget had a theory in which he believed explained how people think, understand, and learn. He believed cognitive development was based on ages and stages. He also believed that children develop through hands on experiences and that Mental and physical activities are important for cognitive development. -
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Lev Vygotsky
Vygotsky developed the sociocultural theory in which he believed social and cognitive development involved social interaction. He also believed that a child’s development was influenced by their experiences. His theory included the belief that adult interaction with a child helps them reach higher levels, or as Vygotsky calls it, scaffolding. -
Howard Gardner
Gardner developed the theory of multiple intelligences, which consists of nine abilities. His theory suggests that people can be intelligent in many different ways. The nine abilities include visual/spatial, verbal/linguistic, mathematical/logical, bodily/kinesthetic, musical/rhythmic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, naturalist, existentialist.