Influential Educational Reformers That Helped Shape Today’s Educational System by Isabel Melton
By IMelton
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“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
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Quintilian, advocated that parents allow children to play and express themselves. He believed that children learned via imitation rather than intimidation. Ikhena, Bennie, et al. “The Journey of Early Childhood Education Through Time.” Novak Djokovic Foundation, 6 Feb. 2018, novakdjokovicfoundation.org/the-journey-of-early-childhood-education-through-time/
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“You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say”. With that in mind, Martin Luther became a vocal supporter for a universal education program that would be available to both boys and girls. Ikhena, Bennie, et al. “The Journey of Early Childhood Education Through Time.” Novak Djokovic Foundation, 6 Feb. 2018, novakdjokovicfoundation.org/the-journey-of-early-childhood-education-through-time/
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Comenius introduced the idea of grade levels based upon a child’s age and developmental stage. Ikhena, Bennie, et al. “The Journey of Early Childhood Education Through Time.” Novak Djokovic Foundation, 6 Feb. 2018, novakdjokovicfoundation.org/the-journey-of-early-childhood-education-through-time/
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Locke introduced the famous idea of “nurture” over “nature” and that learning should be fun for children. He proposed the Blank Slate Theory which is the belief that a child is born with an empty mind that is then filled by experiences and reasoning. Ikhena, Bennie, et al. “The Journey of Early Childhood Education Through Time.” Novak Djokovic Foundation, 6 Feb. 2018, novakdjokovicfoundation.org/the-journey-of-early-childhood-education-through-time/
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Rousseau believed that children learned best by experiencing and exploring their surroundings. Ikhena, Bennie, et al. “The Journey of Early Childhood Education Through Time.” Novak Djokovic Foundation, 6 Feb. 2018, novakdjokovicfoundation.org/the-journey-of-early-childhood-education-through-time/
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Wollstonecraft pushed for girls to be provided equal access to education. It was her fervent belief that “an educational system that allowed girls the same advantages as boys would result in women who would be not only exceptional wives and mothers but also capable workers in many professions”. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Mary Wollstonecraft.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 31 Oct. 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Mary-Wollstonecraft
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Friedrich Froebel was a German Educator that created The Kindergarten Program. He believed that “play is the highest expression of human development in childhood for it alone is the free expression of what is in the child’s soul.” “Early Education.” About Froebel | Early Education, www.early-education.org.uk/about-froebel
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Mann, known as the “Father of the Common School”, helped develop state-sponsored public education. Common Schools were funded by taxes and eventually evolved into our current public education system. “PBS Online: Only A Teacher: Schoolhouse Pioneers.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/horace.html
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Dewey believed that students learn best when they are actively engaged. Essentially, the thought is that “learning by doing” is the best approach to learning. Ikhena, Bennie, et al. “The Journey of Early Childhood Education Through Time.” Novak Djokovic Foundation, 6 Feb. 2018, novakdjokovicfoundation.org/the-journey-of-early-childhood-education-through-time/
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Maria Montessori developed the Montessori Method which is a teaching method that is allows the student to learn based on what they are interest at the time. Ikhena, Bennie, et al. “The Journey of Early Childhood Education Through Time.” Novak Djokovic Foundation, 6 Feb. 2018, novakdjokovicfoundation.org/the-journey-of-early-childhood-education-through-time/
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Rudolf Steiner developed the Waldorf program. This program seeks to educate the “whole” child. Formal education is not provided until the age of seven. Until then, children are allowed and encouraged to remain “childlike”. The use of electronic media is highly discouraged. Ikhena, Bennie, et al. “The Journey of Early Childhood Education Through Time.” Novak Djokovic Foundation, 6 Feb. 2018, novakdjokovicfoundation.org/the-journey-of-early-childhood-education-through-time/
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Piaget developed the theory of cognitive development. This theory explains how a child design his or her view of the world. Piaget did not believe that intelligence was a fixed trait but rather an evolution based on cognitive development. Mcleod, Saul. “Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development.” Simply Psychology, Simply Psychology, 6 June 2018, www.simplypsychology.org/piaget.html
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The Reggio Emilia approach was founded by Loris Malaguzzi. The idea behind this approach is that the classroom is the “Third Teacher”. Educators pay close attention to the classroom and ensure that the area is “beautiful, joyful, inviting, and stimulating”. Ikhena, Bennie, et al. “The Journey of Early Childhood Education Through Time.” Novak Djokovic Foundation, 6 Feb. 2018, novakdjokovicfoundation.org/the-journey-of-early-childhood-education-through-time/
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The High/Scope Program was developed as a result of Weikart and Kamii’s work which emphasizes the “Plan-Do-Review” approach. Teachers create a “plan” for a play period, students “do” via their activities and a “review” occurs at the end of the activities. Ikhena, Bennie, et al. “The Journey of Early Childhood Education Through Time.” Novak Djokovic Foundation, 6 Feb. 2018, novakdjokovicfoundation.org/the-journey-of-early-childhood-education-through-time/
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Hunter created the Instructional Theory Into Practice teaching model. She sought to aid teachers in making decisions based on “content, learning behaviors of students, and teacher behaviors”. Through this process, she claimed that students could learn faster and improve their overall achievement. Madeline Cheek Hunter Facts, biography.yourdictionary.com/madeline-cheek-hunter