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Johannes Amos Comenius
1592-1670
First to formulate idea of "education according to nature" and influence was that on the subject matter and method of education, exerted through a series of text books of an entirely new nature. In 1657 completed the first illustrated book for children. -
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Early Childhood History
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John Locke
Strongly emphasized the importance of first-hand experiences as ameans of learning. Locke felt that experience was education; he proposed that children were like blank page sor wax that should be molded and shaped by experience. -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau's philosophy of education was based on the developing pupils character and moral sense, so that he may learn to practice self mastery to be able to maintain in the unnatural and imperfect society in which he will have to live. Rousseau wrote a fictional book, Emile, that was about his concepr of individual freedom. Rousseau believed that young children did not need "schools", but should be allowed to develop naturally. -
Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi
Pestalozzis' educational methods were much more hands-on. He emphasized spontaneity and self-activity; and saw education as central to improvement of social conditions. In 1801, Pestalozzi wrote a book "How Gertrude Teaches Her Children". He believed in putting what's "right" before what's "correct", when teaching. -
Friedrich Froebel
Established first kindergarden in Germany in 1837. He said kindergarden was a garden of children, garden for children, where they can grow and develop in freedom. Froebel is given credit for finding the true nature of play and regulating it to lead naturally to work. -
Elizabeth Palmer Peabody
Elizabeth opened a private school in Mass in 1820, another in Boston in 1822, and another in 1825 in Brookline, Mass. She probably was the first woman book publisher in the U.S.. Peabody was very active in reform having supported black and indian causes. She was influenced by Froebel method, and in the late 1800's she edited the "Kindergarden Messenger". She was also the President of American Froebel Union in 1877, which she organized. -
Nusery School
The first Nursery School was opened in England in 1816. The program, which encouraged unstructured play, was a model for late programs. -
G. Stanley Hall
Stanley published Adolescence 1904 & Educational Problems in 1911. He was an American psychologist who focused on the educational needs of adolescents. He also created the Child Study movement with Arnold Gesell. -
Jean Piaget
In 1920's while employed at the Binet Insistute piaget's job was to develop French versions of questions on English inteligence tests. He became intrigued by wrong answers given by children that required logical thinking. He was the first psychologist to study cognitive develop, defined distinct stages of children's cognitive development. -
Maria Montessori
Maria Montessori opened a school based upon the theory that children learn best by themselves in the proper environment. -
B.F. Skinner
Skinner was one of the key theorists of the 1940's. His theory was that children learn through experience. -
Albert Bandura
Albert Bandura developed the social learning theory and that behaviors can be learned through observation and modeling. He created the famous Bobo doll experiment that proved children learned by observation. -
Head start Programs
Head Start Programs were launched int he 1960's for low-income children.
