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Jan 1, 1483
The Influence of Martin Luther on Literacy
1483-1547
Martin Luther had an incredible influence on the beginning of teaching literacy in schools. He translated the bible into German so that individuals could read and learn from the bible in their own language. This allowed individuals to learn in their own way through text rather than from the authority of the Catholic Church. Morrison, G. S. (2017). Fundamentals of early childhood education (7th ed.). Boston: Pearson. -
John Locke and “The Blank Tablet”
1632-1704
John Locke has had an incredible influence on the philosophies of child development, education and liberalism in our history. Locke emphasized the importance of the experiences that sculpt the development of a child. The idea that experiences affect a child’s environment is particularly important to the promotion of quality, universal early childhood education. -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Unfolding
1712-1788
Jean-Jacques Rousseau influence on the development of early childhood education comes from his idea of unfolding. Rousseau’s idea of unfolding states that children follow stages of development that are inherent within all children. Unfolding helped to create the foundation for developmentally appropriate practices. Morrison, G. S. (2017). Fundamentals of early childhood education (7th ed.). Boston: Pearson. -
Friedrich Wilhelm Froebel and Play
1782-1852
Friedrich Wilhelm Froebel believed in importance of play in early childhood education. Froebel created a curriculum that included occupations, songs, gifts and games. This play-based curriculum that Froebel created encouraged children’s growth and development. Morrison, G. S. (2017). Fundamentals of early childhood education (7th ed.). Boston: Pearson. -
John Dewey and Progressivism
1859-1952
John Dewey’s contributions to the practice of early childhood education are still significant today. Dewey’s theory of progressivism is focused on the interests of the children in the classroom rather than course material. Progressivism became an important theory for the base of child centered practice. Morrison, G. S. (2017). Fundamentals of early childhood education (7th ed.). Boston: Pearson. -
Erik Erickson and Psychosocial Theory
1902-1994
Erik Erickson’s theory of the psychosocial development of children in based in his thoughts that cognitive and social development cannot be examined separately; they develop together. Erickson’s theory stresses the important role that teachers and families play in children’s development.
Morrison, G. S. (2017). Fundamentals of early childhood education (7th ed.). Boston: Pearson. -
Abraham Maslow and Self-Actualization Theory
1908-1970
The theory of Self-Actualization has been an important philosophy across many disciplines to this day. The pyramid of self-actualization states that individuals have needs that fall into six categories. Children must have basic needs met such as food shelter before they can even move on to meeting other needs that are high on the pyramid such as belonging and self-actualization.
Morrison, G. S. (2017). Fundamentals of early childhood education (7th ed.). Boston: Pearson. -
Urie Bronfenbrenner and Ecological Theory
1917-2005
Urie Bronfenbrenner created ecological theory that highlights the importance of the systems that influence a child in their everyday life. He states that all systems affect a child’s environment and development. Environments from the microsystems, (family, peers, schools, etc.), to macrosystems, (cultural views of children and their development) all play into the ecological theory.
Morrison, G. S. (2017). Fundamentals of early childhood education (7th ed.). Boston: Pearson.