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Period: Jan 1, 1500 to
Historical events in ECE
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Jan 1, 1534
Bible translated from Latin to German
Martin Luther translated the Bible from Latin to vernacular language (German), allowing people to be educated in their own language. He also advocated establishing schools to teach children how to read. -
Infant School opened in Scotland
Robert Owen opened an infant school in New Lanark, Scotland, designed to provide care for children eighteen months to ten years old while their parents worked in his cotton mills. Another infant school followed in London in 1818. Then in 1830, the Infant School Society of Boston submitted a petition to incorporate infant schools into the Boston Public Schools. -
Froebel opened "the Kindergarten"
Friedrich Froebel founded "the Kindergarten", or the "Garden of Children" and believed children can and should learn through play. He believed that a teacher's role is similar to a gardener's, providing guidance and direction. Froebel was the first educatorto develop a planned, systematic program for educating young children. -
Casa dei Bambini created
Maria Montessori created the Casa dei Bambini, or Children's House in Italy. It was here she tested her ideas and gained insights into children and teaching that led to the perfection of her system. Her approach was characterized by an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological, physical, and social development. -
Maslow's Theory of Self-Actualization
Abraham Maslow created the Theory of Self-Actualization, of meeting basic needs throughout life. This humanistic psychology led to the modern importance of meeting basic needs BEFORE cognitive learning can occur. This was the beginning of the self-esteem movement, with an emphasis on providing safety, security, love and affection for all children. -
Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development
Erik Erikson developed the Theory of Psychosocial Development, which says that cognitive development occurs in conjuction with social development. He felt that how parents and teachers interact with and care for children helps determine emotional and cognitive development. This led to the idea that play supports children's social and cognitive development and that emotional and cognitive components are equally important in their development. He also studied the Montessori method. -
The Civil Rights Act
The federal government became more involved in education and passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ensuring education for all. The Act was amended in 1972, the most well known amendment being Title IX. The amendments are now called The Equal Opportunity in Education Act. -
Head Start program began
The Economic OpportunityAct of 1964 implemented several social programs to promote the health, education, and general welfare of people with low socioeconomic status. The EOA provided for the beginning of the Head Start program, which is one of the longest-running programs to address systemic poverty in the U.S. The EOA was updated in 1981 and renamed The Head Start Act.
