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John Amos Comenius
Comenius created Orbis Pictus "The World in Pictures", a compilation that is widely regarded as the first picture book for children. Comenius compared the early brain to a plant that needs attention and tending. He concluded that just as a plant could be nurtured, so too could a child's brain. In addition, he was an early believer in sensory education. -
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John Locke
Locke believed the mind was a blank canvas and that environment and personal experiences formed a child's persona. He believed parents and caregivers were instrumental in providing early and essential stimulus. Locke was one of the first to identify how factors such as socioeconomic status, early education, and family dynamics influenced a child. -
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Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi
Pestalozzi, like John Amos Comenius, felt that sensory experiences were vital for the developing brain. To help integrate this concept in early childhood education, Pestalozzi introduced "object lessons" using manipulatives to teach counting, measuring and feeling. Pestalozzi wrote "How Gertrude Teaches Her Children" (to help teachers) and "Book for Mothers" (to help mom's educate their children.) These books are considered the first of the popular self-help movement. -
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John Dewey
John Dewey was an American educator that believed children learned by doing. His progressive theory emphasized experience rather than rote exercises or subject matter. He proposed that every action be used as a learning tool. Thus, Dewey advocated that schools use everyday skills like cooking to teach reading and mathematics. -
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Maria Montessori and the Montessori Method
Maria Montessori was important in the educational universe because she was a female intellectual with a medical degree. Born and educated in Italy, Montessori proposed that "mental deficiency" was a product of poor education rather than a medical predisposition. She tested her theory at Casa dei Bambini (Children's House), on children who were disadvantaged. The Montessori Method stressed the respect of children as educators introduced practical life skills and sensory activities to teach. -
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Abraham Maslow and Self Actualization Theory
Maslow believed that students had a fundamental right to food, shelter, safety and love. Without these basic needs, the likelihood of academic success was diminished as children recorded lower levels of concentration, lower test scores, anxiety, and lower self-esteem. With their basic needs met, children had the opportunity to succeed and have self-actualization. Ultimately, children who were safe and nourished flourished in a stable, safe environment. -
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Howard Gardner and Multiple Intelligence Theory (1943-present)
Gardner (1943-current) proposed a new way to classify intelligence. He felt that educators and society should no longer use a single definition to identify a child's worth and aptitude. He suggested nine categories to assess a child: visual/spacial, verbal/linguistic, mathematical/logical, bodily/kinesthetic, musical/rhythmic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, naturalist, and existentialist. Gardner advocated for change because he felt that children were "smart in many different ways." -
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Education as Equalizer (1962-present)
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 stated it was illegal to discriminate based on race, color, religion or sex. The Economic Opportunity Act (1964) was then passed to support low socioeconomic students. As a result, the popular Head Start Program (1965) was developed to combat the discrepancy between advantaged and disadvantaged preschool children. While the program is controversial, the No Child Left Behind (2001) program was then introduced to guarantee school accountability.