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ECE started as a field during the Enlightenment and kept going through present day. It originated in European countries that had high literacy rates. Early Childhood Education is education that directly focuses on the young children from birth all the way up to eight years of age. Here is a timeline of some of the philosophers who made a major impact in Early Childhood Education throughout the years. -
Martin Luther was the first who advocated childhood education and starting up schools to teach children to read. He also made a few contributions to education like universal education, the publics support in education, and the idea to teach children to read at an early age. Died: February 18th, 1546 -
He is known as the Father of Modern Education. Wrote the first children's picture book, "The World Illustrated". He was also the first to recognize that the play of children was learning. His contributions were early learning helps determine school and life successes. Died: November 15th, 1670 -
John Locke said that when children were born, they are all born "blank slates" and starting at the age of 1 month, they start to develop by learning. He also believed that children's experiences determine who they are and who they become.
Contributions: Learning should begin early, Children learn what they are taught - teachers basically make children
Died: October 28th, 1704 -
A French writer and philosopher who created early schooling that enabled children to direct their own activities that are free from the constraints of "society". There are child-centered education facilities that were created to emphasize the use of hands-on activities and using their senses. -
Environment determines children's beliefs
He believed society can shape children's character
Contributions: Importance of infant programs
Good education can counteract a child's poor environment -
Believed children develop through "unfolding"
Founded Kindergarten - "Garden of Children"
Contributions: Teacher's role is similar to a gardener
Children should have specific materials to learn through play -
Established the first school to teach preschool aged children -
Kindergarten started in Germany by Friedrich Froebel.
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Contributions: Progressive education movement, Children's interest form the basis of the curriculum, Educate children for today, not tomorrow Died: June 1st, 1952 -
Contributions: The Montessori Method, Sensory based materials that were self-correcting, Prepared environments, respect for children. Died: May 6th, 1952 -
Created the Theory of Cognitive Development based on ages and stages -
Created the theory of psychosocial development - cognitive development occurs in conjunction with social development
Life is a series of eight stages
How parents and teachers interact with and care for children helps determine their emotional and cognitive development Died: May 12, 1994 -
Maria Montessori opens the Children's house in Rome
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National Association for the Education of Young Children is founded.
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Head Start gets funded by the Economics Opportunities Act
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started a lab nursery school at Columbia Teacher's College
large blocks for play
wrote the tune to Happy Birthday to You
Established the National Association for Nursery Education Died: May 25th, 1946 -
National Association for Family Day Care is founded.
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National Academy of Early Childhood Programs is established by NAEYC for voluntary accreditation of center based programs.
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The U.S. Department of Education establishes Even Start, a parent education/ literacy program.
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Child Care and Development Grant is enacted
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He reestablishes the White House conference on Children
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The No Child Left Behind Act bill is passed
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Operation Military Child Care is started to help the families who are activated or deployed
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President Obama called on Congress to expand access to high-quality preschool to every child in America, called the Preschool For All initiative