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Nov 10, 1483
Martin Luther 1483-1546
Martin Luther expressed the necessity of having schools available to teach children to read. He influenced modern theorists by the public support of education. -
John Comenius 1592-1670
John Comenius wrote the first picture book for children titled Orbis Pictus and believed that the early experiences that a child has is what helps to determine their school as well as their life success. Comenius also believed that sensory experiences played a large role in both supporting and promoting learning. -
John Locke 1632 - 1704
John Locke stated that children are born as 'blank tablets' allowing their experiences to determine who they are in life. He believed that teachers, what and how they taught is literally what formed the child into they adult they became as well as opening the opportinity for society to conform the children into the type of person that they wanted. -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau 1712-1778
Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed natural approaches such as family grouping, authentic testing and environmental literacy to education work the best. He is best remembered for his book titled, Emile, in which set the tone for his education and political views. He advocated that through encouraging growth without undue interference or restrictions was best (natural education) -
Johann Pestalozzi 1746 - 1827
Johann Pestalozzi believe that all education is based on sensory impressions and through sensory experiences children can achieve their natural potential. He developed object lessons which were made up of manipulative that encouraged activities such as counting, feeling, and touching. -
Robert Owen 1771 - 1858
Robert Owen believed that children’s environments contributed to their beliefs, behavior and achievement. This theory is still widely believed today. Owen also believed that by controlling the circumstances and consequent outcomes of child rearing that it was possible to build a new and perfect society. -
Friedrich Froebel 1782 - 1852
Friedrich Froebel is known as the “father of kindergarten.” He believed that play is a process in which children learn and that learning flows from play. Froebel compared children to growing plants, he believed that a teacher’s role is similar to a gardener’s. -
Maria Montessori 1870 - 1952
Maria Montessori developed a system called the Montessori method in which she believed that all knowledge comes from sensory experiences and that children need learning materials that meet their needs. She also stated that sensory materials are self correcting and that prepared environments are essential for learning. -
Jean Piaget 1896 - 1980
Jean Piaget stated that children are “little scientists” and literally develop their own intelligence. He also believed that mental as well as physical activities are important for cognitive development. -
Lev Vygotsky 1896 - 1934
Lev Vygotsky developed a sociocultural theory which emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships in social and cognitive development. He also developed the concept of the zone of proximal development where children can learn more with the help of a more competent person. -
Erik Erikson 1902 - 1994
Erik Erikson developed the theory of psychosocial development which states that cognitive development occurs in conjunction with social development and that life is a series of eight stages with each state representing a critical period in a child’s social development. -
Abraham Maslow 1908 - 1970
Abraham Maslow developed the theory of self-actualization which stressed the importance of meeting the basic needs for a child before cognitive learning can occur. Maslow emphasized on providing safety, security, love and affection for all children. -
Urie Bronfenbrenner 1917 - 2005
Urie Bronfenbrenner believed that teachers and parents recognize that children’s development depends on their natures and their environments. He also developed the theory of ecological systems where five interrelating systems have a powerful impact on development. The five systems are; microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, microsystem and chronosystem. -
Howard Gardner 1943 - Present
Howard Gardner believed that people can be smart in many different ways instead of just one. He identified nine different intelligences which included: visual/spatial, verbal/linguistic, mathematical/logical, bodily/kinesthetic, musical/rhythmic, interpersonal, interpersonal, naturalist, and existentialist. His views on multiple intelligences continue to influence early childhood education to this day.
