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John Locke published "Essay Concerning Human Understanding."
John Locke developed the theory that the mind is a "tabula rasa", or a blank tablet. He believed that children's development comes from stimulation they receive from parents and caregivers and that they learn from their experiences in their environments. -
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History of Early Childhood Education
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Friedrich Froebel opened first "kindergarten."
Friedrich Froebel was an educator who believed that children developed through an "unfolding." He opened the first kindergarten, or "garden of children" for three and four year olds to provide experiences for the "unfolding" He used "gifts", which were materials that children could manipulate, and "occupations" in the classroom. He believed that children learned primarily through play. Until this first kindergarten, children usually did not begin school until they were seven years old. -
Maria Montessori opens "Casa dei Bambini"
Maria Montessori was an Italian physician and educator. She opened her first school to determine how children learn best. Children prepared meals, utilized materials with math lessons, and worked on puzzles, She found that children essentially taught themselves, using the materials in their environment. She designed learning materials and classrooms to help foster childrens' desire to learn.Today, there are 22,000 Montessori schools in 110 countries. -
Abraham Maslow develops Hierarchy of Needs.
Abraham Maslow first publsished his Hierarchy of Needs theory in a paper entitled "A Theory of Human Motivation" in a psychology publication. This theory of human development implies that cognitive learning takes place only after basic needs are met. In order to reach the top of the hierarchy,"self-actualization," all of the other needs must be met. -
Erik Erikson published the book "Childhood and Society."
The book introduced Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. He theorized that cognitive development occurs in conjunction with social development. There are eight stages of development in this theory, that span a lifetime. Each stage is critical for social development. A main part of is theory is "ego identity", or self, and it is greatly influenced by social interactions with others. His theories help educators understand the importance of emotional and social development in children. -
Piaget develops Theory of Cognitive Development.
Piaget observed his own children, and how they processed information in the world around them. From these observations, he developed the Theory of Cognitive Development, that outlined four stages of development that each child must go through, based on ages and stages. This theory is used in modern education to match education to children's stages of cognitive development. -
Urie Bronfenbrenner develops Ecological Systems Theory
Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory holds that we encounter different environments throughout our lifetimes, that may have influences on our behavior. This theory helps educators and parents to understand that different environments help shape children's lives, and that positive influences in each system should be the ideal. -
Howard Gardner publishes "Frames of Mind" book.
Gardner's book, "Frames of MInd," introduced his theory of multiple intelligences. This theory holds that intelligence consists of nine abilities.This theory helped to revolutionize education, as it provided awareness and attention to the multiple ways in which children think and learn.
