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Period: Feb 16, 1483 to
Early Childhood Education History Timeline
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Jan 1, 1534
Martin Luther Translates the Bible From Latin.
In 1534 Martin Luther translated the Bible from Latin to vernacular languages which allowed people to be educated in thier own language. This was a huge milestone in the area of adult literacy. Addtionally, it served to develope the dynamic of student and teacher as the ability to read was to be taught in order to read the word of God. -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau Publishes Important Work, Emile.
The notion of teaching according to the theory of 'unfolding' comes to light. This is the idea that children should be taught according to their own innate capabilites and developmental stages. In this book, Rousseau asserts that young children shoud be educated naturally withought restrictions or interference. -
Robert Owen's Ideas of a Utopian Society Lead to the First Infant School.
Through his beliefs that society and our immediate surroundings play a role in dictating the character of a child, Owen set out to prove his theory with the creation of a mock utopian society. He was the first to create a school for infants. He proved that there are direct links to societal improvements and education which was huge in understanding the importance of the role of schools in society. Education should, and could benefit all. -
Development and Implementation of the Montessori Method.
Maria Montessori developed a method for educating young children that is based on respect. The philosophy is also that learning should be a sensory endeavor and that there should be prepared environments to learn in. This method puts an emphasis on self correction and teacher training programs were implemented and intended to furnish teachers with the tools and knowledge to teach children using the Montessori Method. Today, Montessori schools are highly sought after. -
Development of the Concept of the Zone of Proximal Development.
The concept of Zone Proximal Development emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships and the idea that children can learn more with the help of a more competent adult. Scaffolding techniques may be used with these adult and child relationships to build up to higher levels of education. He also saw a direct correlation between language and thought in relation to cognitive capabilties. This notion has been a fundamnetal building block for our educational system today. -
Theory of Cognitive Developement.
John Piaget develops the Theory of Cognitive Development based on ages and stages. Piaget's studies revolutionized the way that we viewed children's cognitive capabilites. Instead of thinking children were just less competent thinkers, he proosed that they just think in very different ways. His theory focused more on development rather than learning. Today, in a early education schools, we embrace where a child is developmentally and try and focus on activities that are properly suited. -
Theory of Self-Actualization.
Abraham Maslow's Theory of Self-Actualization is based on a heirarchy of 5 basic needs: biological and physiological needs, safety, love and belonging, esteem and self actualization. Everything hinges on the basic, biological needs being met first. This theory led to the developement of programs that strive to meet childrens basic needs. From these basic needs being met, self esteem emerges and the ability to thrive exists. -
Development of the Theory of Phsychosocial Development
Erik Erikson developed the Theory of Psychosocial Development included in his book, Childhood and Society. Erikson believed that play supports children's cognitive and social development. He also emphasized that children need predictable and consistent love and care in order to develope fully. -
Ecological Theory and The Head Start Program
Urie Bronfenbrenner studied children's development within the context of the systems of relationships that form their environment. A child's world is broken down into the 5 different systems that he or she spends their time in. Each one of these systems must be positive environments in order for a child to thrive. The Head Start Program basically embodies the fact that children should not expend their cognitive abilites on survival but rather on development. -
Multiple Intelligence Theory.
The Model of Multiple Intellgence was developed by Howard Gardner. Gardner believes that rather than considering intelligence as a single track, we might see it as broken up into 9 different catagories. Not all people are smart in the same catagories and should be taught that way. This is the idea that people's indiviual talents and interests should be embraced and nurtured as different than another persons.
