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Early Childhood Theories
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John Dewey
John Dewey wanted to educate the children for today not tomorrow, he created education movements during his time. He established child centered education and discovery learning. He argued thst education and learning are social and interactive processes and concluded that school was a social institution. -
Maria Montessori
Established the Montessori method for educating young children. All knowledge comes from sensory expierences, there were sensory based materials for young children and environments prepared for learning. She has set a presedent for the 21st century for students to be capable of critical thinking, work collaboratively with others and act boldly. -
Jean Piaget
Generated the idea of cognitive development based on ages and stages. Created constructive approaches to early childhood education. Active involvement with children during learning activities. Piaget was criticized for concentrating on stages of cognitive development and not considering how social and cultural settings may impact cognitive development. -
Lev Vygotsky
Communication between teacher and pupil acted as a means of scaffolding to higher levels of learning. Established scaffolding techniques to teach children. Theorized that cooperative learning and other forms of social learning allowed learning among many cultures. -
Erik Erickson
Established the theory of psychosocial development. The basic idea of cognitive development occurs in conjunction with social development. Play supports children's social and cognitive development. All children need predictable, consistent love, care and education. -
Abraham Maslow
Developed the theory of self actualization. Emphasized on the importance of meeting basic needs before cognitice learning can occur. The idea was teachers create programs to meet childrens basic needs. -
Urie Bronfenbrenner
Created the Ecological systems theory of five interrelating systems of microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem and chronosystem have a deep impact on child development. Teachers are now more aware of how different environments impact and shape childrens lives. Educators and parents strive to provide positive influences on children. -
Howard Gardner
Established the theory of multiple intelligences. Created more awareness and attention to multiple was in which children learn and think. Teachers develop programs and curricula to match children's particular intelligences.
