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Jan 1, 1400
The Start of Early Childhood
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. -
Nov 10, 1483
Martin Luther
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 -
John Comenius
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
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 -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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. -
Robert Owen
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 -
Friedrich Froebel
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 -
Johann Pestalozzi
Established the first school to teach preschool aged children -
Children's Garden
Kindergarten started in Germany by Friedrich Froebel. -
John Dewey
Contributions: Progressive education movement, Children's interest form the basis of the curriculum, Educate children for today, not tomorrow Died: June 1st, 1952 -
Maria Montessori
Contributions: The Montessori Method, Sensory based materials that were self-correcting, Prepared environments, respect for children. Died: May 6th, 1952 -
Jean Piaget
Created the Theory of Cognitive Development based on ages and stages -
Erik Erikson
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 -
Opening of Children's House
Maria Montessori opens the Children's house in Rome -
NAEYC
National Association for the Education of Young Children is founded. -
Head Start
Head Start gets funded by the Economics Opportunities Act -
Patty Smith Hill
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 -
NAFDC
National Association for Family Day Care is founded. -
NAECP
National Academy of Early Childhood Programs is established by NAEYC for voluntary accreditation of center based programs. -
Even Start
The U.S. Department of Education establishes Even Start, a parent education/ literacy program. -
CCDG
Child Care and Development Grant is enacted -
Bill Clinton
He reestablishes the White House conference on Children -
NCLBA
The No Child Left Behind Act bill is passed -
Military Childcare
Operation Military Child Care is started to help the families who are activated or deployed -
High-Quality Preschool
President Obama called on Congress to expand access to high-quality preschool to every child in America, called the Preschool For All initiative