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Johann Amos Comenius
He wrote the first picture book for children, which was a guide for teachers. He believed that education should follow the natural order of things. Children should be able to work at their own pace, and the teachers should work with the children's inclinations. He also stressed this basic concept, that you learn by doing it. -
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John Locke
An English philosopher who found modern education. He theorized the belief that a child is born as a “clean slate” and that their experiences in the world sway them. He claimed that the purpose of education was to make children “reasoning creatures,” where children were taught basic skills by a teacher, who would be with the children until they reached an understanding. -
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Jean-Jacques Rousseau
She was a swiss songwriter and philosopher who proposed that children were not inherently evil, but naturally good. He thought that the atmosphere of a childs should be less restrained and more flexible to the childs needs. His ideas are still followed today; free play and stress free environments are all of his ideas. -
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Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi
He is an educator who has formed many common teachings of education through his theories. He stressed the importance of an integrated curriculum, which would develop a child the best. He also proposed that these practices were to be taught in schools. -
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Robert Owen
He believed that people were naturally good but were corrupted by harsh environments and poor treatment, so he worked to stop the labor of children so that they could be schooled. He built and ran many schools for children 3-10 years of age. After some time, his schools did not survive, but his ideas did! British infant schools were created in England, while his ideas were also incorporated in America. -
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Friedrich Wilhelm Froebel
He is best know as “The Father of Kindergarten.” The German word for Kindergarten is “childrens garden” which he thought perfectly described this idea. His own childhood had been unhappy, so he wanted to created a happy one for billions of children around the world and to come. Today, teachers all around the world pracrice his beliefs by planting ideas into the young childrens minds as they continue to grow. -
Kindergarten
German was the first country to have kindergarten. Kindergarten has gone through many social changes throughout the years. At first it was for poor students and then it went to be led by churches. The kindergarten we know today is the first grade that students enter when they go to school to help them become more independent and prepared for the following grades. -
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Rudolf Steiner
Rudolf Steiner was a philosopher, scientist, and artist who theorized that the childhood stage of a person's life is important so the environment must protect and nurture the child. He believed that the teacher should support the child's creative play, and that the teacher should understand the child's temperament as well. -
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Maria Montessori
She was the first female Physician in Italy who worked with poor children and other children with disabilities. While she was there, she opened up a preschool for them. Her belief was that education begins at birth and then the early years are the most important of their lives. She believed that during this time, children are most curious so this is when they would be learning the most valuable life skills. -
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A.S Neill
The most famous proponent of the free/natural school movement who claimed that most education was defective because it arose from the middle of original sin. Neill believed that there should be freedom in schools where the children would help themselves to work towards the goals of being like an adult. -
Nursery Schools
Nursery Schools were promoted for children who were too young to attend kindergarten. Although there was controversy around this topic, Kindergardens were still on the fringes of the educational establishments as a whole. -
High Scope
A program made to address the effects of poverty on a child's development. 2 studies were put in place by the federal government to study these effects. For decades now this research has advanced to confirm the long-term effects that poverty does have on children's development. -
Sputnik
The launch of sputnik, the soviet satellite, took place after World War ii. This was the first successful space exploration which caused an upheaval in educational circles. Americans questioned why they were not the first country in space. They also questioned if the education system was poorly done because of this. Americans agreed it was time for an education system change, so the emphasis on engineering, science and math increased. -
Head Start
A goal created to fight the “war on poverty”. This goal was aimed at helping disadvantaged preschool children. Over the years, this program has helped over 10 million children and families who need educational, emotional, social, medical, dental, nutritional, and mental health support. Now thanks to Head Start, there is a national attention to providing children with the wants and needs that they need. -
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Social Reform
This concept is known for the schooling of young children to lead to improvement. This has been looked down upon and Edelman, who was a very known author, advocates for equity in social reform. Social Reform can also be seen beyond childhood education. Many people promote it for the well-beings of families along with teachers. -
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DAP
“Developmentally Appropriate Practice” was very important for children so that they could master their level of understanding and playing. Children would learn through physical interactions with their materials, as well as thinking about their experiences. These would each contribute to their specific age level. -
Media and Technology
The transition into modern life has impacted children's education through technology and media. Devices such as iPads, iPhones, and computers have promoted inclusion for many families and students. They are now able to receive education at any time in any place in the world because of these advancements. -
No Child Left Behind
This was an act passed in 2001 that was made in concern for the American education system. For grades K-12, schools were required to demonstrate fair learning experiences and academic achievement for every single student. -
Standards
In the United States, education is focused on the state of educational standards. Examples of this include the No Child is Left Behind Act, and Common Core State Standards. These standards are put in place to specify what students need to learn.