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Period: Nov 10, 1483 to Feb 18, 1546
Martin Luther
Morrison (2013) stated that because Martin Luther wanted children to be able to read, he removed a priest from the Catholic Church instead of the Bible. Martin also supported schools to be built where children can learn how to read (p. 73.) Today, many children know how to read because it is mandatory for children to go to school to receive basic education in many countries. -
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John Comenius
According to Morrison (2013), "John Comenius published first picture book for children called Orbis Pictus in 1658" (p. 73.) These days it is almost impossible to find children books without pictures. Morrison added that "He believed education should begin in the early years. Today, new brain research reminds us again that learning occur early in life" (p. 76.) -
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John Locke
In 2013, Morrison shared that John Locke, well known for "a blank tablet" or "tabula rasa," believed that children are born as a blank sheet of paper, so they can absorb lots of information into their mind (p. 76.) "According to Locke, development comes from the stimulation children receive from parents and caregivers and through experiences they have in their environment" (p. 76.) Today, many parents try to enroll their children into schools with good programs as early as possible. -
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Johann Pestalozzi
Johann believed that everyone had a right to go to school to get education even people in poverty. He also believed that "education should develop the powers of 'Head', 'Heart' and 'Hands' ("Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi," n.d.). It is well known today that education is not only about reading, writing, and math, but it also helps children develop their character. -
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Robert Owen
Owen's focus was how to make people happy esp. people who worked at his father's Mills, which Owen became the owner of later in his life. He put an end to child labor and instead offered education to children who were orphans and had working parents who worked at Owen's Mills. Owen started "the Institute for the Formation of Character," which was the first infant school in the world ("New Lanark," n.d.). It is not surprising today for us to have nursery schools available for working parents. -
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Friedrich Wilhelm Froebel
Froebel used teachers as gardeners and children as seeds to explain his theory of education. This means that children shape depends on how and what they are taught. Also, he introduced a new idea of curriculum, children can learn thru songs and educational games (Morrison, 2013, p. 78). Songs and educational games are naturally used in our daily educational environment. The word "kindergarten" is still used after created by Froebel. -
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John Dewey
According to Morrison (2013), Dewey's belief was mainly focus on "child-centered curriculum" and "child-centered school". He also believed that "education "is a process of living and not a preparation for future living" and that daily life should be a source of activities through which children learn about life and the skills necessary for living" (p. 80). Today, teachers are challenged with how to make a curriculum more interesting mixed with daily activities that children are familier with. -
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Maria Montessori
Morrison (2013), noted that, Montessori was in charge of a group of children as an educator and the approach she used for these children led to and still apply today called "The Montessori Method" (p. 82). Montessori had an interest in children with disabilities and worked with them using her method in the 1890s which made particularly for this group of children who were labeled as "uneducatable" or "defective" by society (p. 105). Today her method is used for any children in many countries.