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Jan 1, 1524
Martin Luther 1483-1546
Martin Luther was a promoter of the teaching of reading in schools. He pushed for universal education. Today's importance in reading education can be partially attributed to him. -
John Comenius 1592-1670
John Amos Comenius, known as the Father of Modern Education and was the first to recognize that the play of childhood was learning, produced the first children's picture book, “Orbis Pictus” ("The World Illustrated"). Comenius believed that education in early childhood was very important and was an advocate for sensory learning. -
John Locke 1632-1704
John Locke was known as one of the most influential thinkers. He said that teachers make children because children do what they are taught. He believed that children are molded and shaped by their experiences in life. He pushed that morals were very important to teach a child and did not believe in traits inherited. An Essay Concerning Human Understanding by John Locke concerning the foundation of human knowledge and understanding was first published 1689. -
Jean Jacques Rousseau 1712-1778
Jean-Jacques Rousseau makes it known that children are different than adults. He believed that children will be who they will be and approached their education naturally through their growth and interests. He thought that hands-on learning was best (e.g. family grouping, authentic testing, and environmental literacy). -
Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi 1746-1827
Johann Pestalozzi stressed the idea of “integrated curriculum” that would develop the whole child; education should be the “hand, head and heart" of the child. Blending of Rousseau’s romantic ideals with his own egalitarian attitude, Pestalozzi believed that children built skills and independence in an atmosphere much like that of a firm and loving home. Pestalozzi's educational methods were child-centered and based on individual differences, sense perception, and the student's self-activity. -
"The Garden of Children"
"The Garden of Children" (Kindergarten) was created by Friedrich Fröbel (1782-1852). He based his beliefs and education on the fact that children are unique with unique needs. He also created Froebel gifts, which were educational toys, made especially for kids. He advocated the radical thought that children should be able to play, to have toys, and to be with trained teachers. -
Maria Montessori 1870-1952
Montessori concept is both a philosophy of child development and a plan for guiding growth. Maria Montessori believed that education begins at birth and the early years are of the utmost importance. These are “Sensitive periods” in which children’s curiosity makes them ready for acquiring certain skills and knowledge. Great emphasis on the environment: A sense of order; A place for everything; A clear rationale -
John Dewey 1858-1952
"Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education" was published in 1916. Dewey's views helped advance the ideas of the "progressive education movement." Progressive education sought to make schools more effective agents of democracy. John Dewey believed that children are valuable and childhood is an important part of their lives. Belief in the innate goodness of children and education should be integrated with life and provide a training ground for cooperative living. -
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is founded.
National Association for the Education of Young Children is founded. The association comprises nearly 70,000 individual members of the early childhood community and more than 300 regional Affiliate chapters, all committed to delivering on the promise of high-quality early learning. NAEYC works to achieve a collective vision: that all young children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential. -
Economic Opportunity Act of 1964
The Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) of 1964 was passed as a part of Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. It was created “to eliminate the paradox of poverty on the midst of plenty in this nation by opening…. To everyone… the opportunity for education and training, the opportunity to work, and the opportunity to live in decency and dignity.” The EOA was later updated as The Head Start Act of 1981 (See The Head Start Act of 1981). -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is created in 1965 to help low income families to get educations. It benefits schools in buying new and better materials and updating facilities. It also created school lunch programs to help kids get a meal for the day. This portion of the ESEA is known as Title I. -
The Head Start Act of 1981
Head Start began as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty, Great Society campaign. Head Start was originally conceived as a catch-up summer school program that would teach low-income children in a few weeks what they needed to know to start elementary school. The Head Start Act of 1981 expanded the program. Head Start is one of the longest-running programs attempting to address the effects of systemic poverty in the United States by intervening to aid children. -
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was created to sustain the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). It makes it so schools are accountable for their teaching efforts. To be funded, schools have to test and be adequate in their progress. Many oppose this act, saying that it focuses too much on standardized testing. -
The Preschool for all Initiative
In President Obama's 2013 State of the Union address, he called upon Congress to expand access to high-quality preschool for every child in America, proposing investments that support a continuum of early learning opportunity, beginning at birth and continuing to age five. This was called The Preschool for All initiative. -
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"Preschool for All Initiative" in 2013 to Present Day
In January 2014, President Obama challenged elected officials, business leaders, philanthropists, and the public to help more children access the early education they need to succeed in school and in life. In December 2014, the President convened state and local policymakers, mayors, school superintendents, corporate and community leaders and advocates to support early education. With new federal investments, President Obama announced a collective investment of over $1 billion for ECE.
