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John Comenius
(1592-1670) John Comenius spent his life teaching and writing educational books, he wrote the first picture book for children. His belief was that all learning knowledge began in the early years of education and thought sensory education forms the basis in learning. Stemming from what he believed in still stands true in our educational system. Finding that educating children at a young age through a sensory based curriculum will help with brain development and "windows of opportunity". -
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Robert Owen
(1771-1852) Robert Owen believed society could use education to shape children's character and controlling the circumstances by disciplining. For the parents that worked in his cotton-mills he provided early childhood education for about 100 children ranging from 18 months-10 years old. From doing this it led to the first infant school in London in 1818. With the view of "making the world a better place for everyone", we have continued to value educating at an early age and reforming society. -
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Friedrich Froebel
(1782-1852) He was known as the "father of the kindergarten" because he devised the word kindergarten for the Play and Activity Institute he had founded. This institute provided singing, dancing, gardening and self directed play with Froebel's gifts. Promoting self-activity and play with the gifts he established, he would teach the "kindergarten teachers" how to began educating these children. As of today we are able to give instructions to children through a systematic plan. -
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Jean Piaget
Developer of French versions of intelligence tests. Became intrigued with the difference between the thinking of adults and children. The first psychologist to make a systematic study of cognitive development. The goal of his theory was to explain brain mechanisms and process in hopes that children can become individuals who can reason and think using hypothesis. Today we still appreciate his achievement because early childhood education begins with the building blocks of knowledge ("Schema"). -
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John Dewey
John Dewey was an American philosopher, psychologist and educational reformer. In his theory of schooling, usually called "progressivism," he emphasized on the interest instead of the matter. This is the process in which we teach our children about life and the skills necessary for living will prepare them for their future. Dewey did more to indirect the course of education and it has influenced our educational system for children to learn by doing. -
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Maria Montessori
She was the first women to earn a medical degree in Italy, she was very interested in educational solutions. Which led her into thinking medical deficiency was more of a educational than a medical problem. Dr. Montessori observed that children experience windows of opportunity so they should work with materials to enhance the development of cognitive powers. There are so many facilities that have gained so much from her approach through direct experience of sensory motored activities. -
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Erik Erikson
Erik Erikson developed his theory of psychosocial development, he felt that cognitive and social development occur hand in hand and can not be separated. Children's social and personality skills pair up with the context of society. Parents and teachers take a huge role in the social and cognitive development in the beginning of Erikson's eight stage theory. As teachers we try to follow these early stages to help young children feel that they can succeed and are valued. -
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Howard Gardner
Howard Gardner has brought together a concept of not relying on one definition of intelligence. Instead he has brought together nine intelligence's: visual/spatial, verbal/linguistic, mathematical/logical, bodily/kinesthetic, musical/rhythmic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, naturalist and existentialist. Using Gardner's nine intelligence as methods to incorporate into lessons will be very helpful because as educators we now know that children have different strengths and weakness.