-
Period: Jun 11, 1400 to
History of Education
-
Jun 11, 1423
Casa Giocosa
Founded by Vittorino da Feltre in Mantua, Italy, the "Happy House" embodied the Rennaisance ideals of humanism. It strived to educate the whole child through the studies of core subjects like hisotry, philosophy, mathematics and music as well as encouraging physical development through exercise and games -
Puritan Massachusetts
Law makers mandate that every child be taught to read. Followed by the Old Deluder Satan Act of 1647 which also required that towns build elementary schools and grammar schools according to their populations. These mark the beggining of the education system in America -
Orbis Pictus
John Comenius (1592-1670) publishes the frist children's picture book reflecting his philosophy that early experiences shape children and that learning occurs when children explore their sensory world. It is the first learning tool geared directlly towards children and is used for hundreds of years to follow. -
Tabula Rasa
John Locke publishes 'Some Thoughts Concerning Education' explaining his view of children as 'blank tablets' ready to receive knowledge. His theory promotes the idea that children have a gradual development of rationality and should be educated according to their individualty. He also advocated that parents were the main force behind the growth and development of the child. -
Ben Franklin's Academy
As opposed to other school's at it's time, Ben Franklin's academy deviated from the religious teachings and added every day skills to the curiculum. This marks the secularization of education in America and opens the door for public schools free from religious influence. -
Yverdon Boarding School
Johann Pestalozzi (1746-1827) found a boarding school in Yverdon, Switzerland. Here he implemented his methods for educating children based on their natural abilities to observe and comprehend materials, The lessons progress from the familiar to new and incorporate experiences and responses following the child's natural develpoment. -
Massachusetts Board of Education
Horace Mann is appointed secretary to the newly created board of education in Massachusetts. The public school system is beginning to take shape in America and Mann pushes for regulations as well as professional education for teachers. -
Kindergarten
Friedrich Froebel (1771-1858) establishes the first "kindergarten" in Germany. He creates an environment full of sensory materials and self guided activities where children explore their interests guided by teachers. He compared to children as plants, unfolding and developing through hands on experiences and play. -
Department of Education
The government establishes the Department of Education as an overseer to the devopment of the public school system in America, The responsibility of educating youth is now a national issue. -
St.Louis School Board
The St. Louis school board adds kindergarten to it's program, establishing the importance of early childhood education. This is the first official recognition of ECE in a public school system. -
Tarrytown Montessori
The first Montessori school in America opens in Tarrytown, NY. This brings the philosophy established at Casa dei Bambini to the new world. Her method advocates a child's freedom and indivdual development through independent exploration of self correcting materials and sensory manipulatives. It is such a successful model that Montessori's are still in existence today. -
Constructivism
Jean Piaget (1896-1980) publishes "The Child's Conception of the World". His theory of cognitive development proposes that children actively engaged in mental and physical activites are enabled to build theri intelligence through various stages of understanding. His contemporaries, like Dewey, Erikson and Maslow, together lay the foundations of a child centered, hands on approach to learning that becomes the Constructivist Method -
Brown v Board of Education
Another decision in a broad series of legislative measures, Brown v the Board of Education states that separate education facilities are inherently unequal. The government, through a series of acts and laws, takes every measure to provide the opportunity to go to school to every member of the country. They will enforce these mandates with force, in necessary. -
Scaffolding
Posthumously published in America, Lev Vygotsky (1896-1938) presents a sociocultural theory where social interactions provide the foundation for cognitive development. According to his 'Zone of Proximal Development', children learn more when they are guided by a more competent person. With open communication between teachers and students, there is a scaffolding to higher learning. -
Head Start
In an effort to combat poverty and the poor environments of children in the low socioeconomic spectrum, the Government implements the Head Start Program, providing preschool and early childhood educations to those who could not otherwise afford it. ECE is viewed a necessary step in childhood development and the future success of students. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
After a series on legislative acts defining both mental and physical disabilities, as well as mandating accessibilty of education at various levels, the goverment passes the IDEA requiring inclusion, universal design and response to instruction with a differentiated approach. Every child is officially recognized as teachable and it is the reponsibility of the school system to effectively educate all levels of learners. -
Reggio Emilia
The North American Reggio Emilia Alliance is founded, advocating for the rights of young children and influencing their education through a new approach towards ECE. In these environments, children's curiosity is piqued through a variety of materials and avenues that appeal to their mulitple intelligences. This method expands the practice of ECE in collaboration with the cognitive development of children as we understand it today.