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Concept of Early Childhood Education Created
Early 1800s, A European mother started teaching kids outside the home. -
Idea came to the US
The state of Wisconsin created constitutional amendments to include committees dedicated to free education of children aged four to twenty in 1848. -
Wisconsin continues pioneering of ECE in the US
The state of Wisconsin then started the first four year old kindergarten program. -
Montessori Method created in early 1900s
Maria Montessori created her method of teaching and brought it to the US. The main focus is to always be attentive to the child and follow the child in the direction they chose to go when learning. The Montessori Method is practiced within many preschools around the country. -
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) created
Other states began to follow Wisconsin’s lead in the area of early childhood education with preschools, day care centers, and nursery programs starting across the country. -
Siegried Engelmann and Wesley Becker coined Direct Instruction Concept in early 1960s
The goal is for children to be directed through their development with teachers leading activities directed toward specific learning. Often drilling methods are used as well as rote learning. Other characteristics of direct instruction are fast-paced learning activities, active involvement between teachers and children, and positive reinforcement offered often and mistakes corrected immediately. -
Head Start is founded
Head Start is a program through the United States Department of Health and Human Services, was originally founded to ready low-income children over the summer months for upcoming kindergarten. Over the years, Head Start has become a respected preschool aged program found in many communities working with children of all backgrounds and abilities. -
No Child Left Behind bill is passed
Because of No Child Left Behind's accountability provisions, schools and parents are getting the information and help they need to focus attention and resources on the children who need it most—and it's working.