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Creator of first picture book,Orbis Pictus. Claimed that early learning determined future life success. Known today as the 'Father of Modern Education,' he pioneered modern educational methods. A contemporary of Galileo, Descartes, Rembrandt, and Milton, Comenius contributed greatly to the Enlightenment. He was the first to use pictures in textbooks.
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John Amos Comenius, known as the Father of Modern Education and was the first to recognize that the play of childhood was learning, and produced the first children's picture book, "The World Illustrated".
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Philosopher Jean-Jacques Roussueau states that a child's mode of thinking is different than an adult and they learn though hands-on experience. Rousseau greatly influenced Immanuel Kant’s work on ethics. His novel Julie or the New Heloise impacted the late eighteenth century’s Romantic Naturalism movement, and his political ideals were championed by leaders of the French Revolution.
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Johann Pestalozzi established what is considered to the first school to teach preschool age children.
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Developed Montessori method for early childhood education- all knowledge comes from sensory experiences.
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First public school kindergarten started in St. Louis.
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National Association for the Education of Young Children is founded. Now over 100,000 members and 400 affiliates.
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The first Kindercare center is opened.
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National Academy of Early Childhood Programs is established by NAEYC for voluntary accreditation of center based programs.
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The No Child Left Behind Act bill is passed.
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President Obama called on Congress to expand access to high-quality preschool to every child in America, called The Preschool for All initiative.