1. Chapter 2
Historical Contexts

2. Goals of Chapter 2
Learn about the Early European influences on early childhood education
Study the beginnings of early childhood education in the U.S.
To review historical events that have influenced the directions in early childhood education

3. Historical Figures Influencing Early Childhood Education
Understanding the contributions of these individuals provides insight into the theory an practice of programs today
Some were theorists others were practitioners

4. European Contributors
Martin Luther ( )
A leader in promoting educational theory and practice
Promoted children’s ability to read
Suggested many revolutionary ideas for his time such as:
All towns and villages should have schools
Both boys and girls should be educated
Schools should foster intellectual, religious, physical, emotional, and social development

5. John Amos Comenius
Promoted that the first years are crucial to overall development
Believed that movement and activity were signs of healthy learning experiences
Children learn best from natural, real-world experiences.
His goal of education “To seek and find a method by which the teachers teach less and the learners learn more, by which the schools have less noise, obstinacy and frustrated endeavors, but more leisure, pleasantness”

6. Jean Jacques Rousseau
Had significant influence on early childhood theory and practice
His writings describe the ideal early education of an imaginary child-Emile
Was an advocate for educational experiences that were very different from what children were receiving
He proposed:
Negative education, formal education should be postponed until age 12
Learning from nature
Education should focus on sensory experiences
Children need to choose their learning experiences
Childhood is a separate state of development

7. Johann Pestalozzi
Has been described as a great teacher who made efforts to love and care for his students in addition to educating them.
He modeled:
Careful observation of children
Recognizing the potential in each child
Importance of teacher-child relationships
Strengthening peer relations
Sensory learning

8. In Practice Pestalozzi suggested: Be a good role model
Make time for positive interactions
Demonstrate high expectations for children
Show children you care

9. Friedrich Froebel Known as the Father of Kindergarten
Kindergarten means “children’s garden” in German
He wrote books on teaching materials “Education of Man” and techniques including “Mother play and Nursery Songs”
He believed we should incorporate songs and musical experiences into classrooms
Realized that children had a natural tendency to join hands and make a circle, thus the creation of “Circle Time”

10. Maria Montessori The first female physician in Italy
Was interested in mentally retarded children of the slums
Assumed directorship of a school for “defective” children
Opened a school called Casa dei Bambini (Children’s House) in Rome

11. Margaret McMillan
She and her sister were concerned with health problems facing young children in England
Founded the “Open-Air Nursery”
Emphasized outdoor play
Believed in facilitating emotional development
Parental involvement
Children’s art

12. Lev Vygotsky Zone of Proximal Development
Relationship between language and thought
Value of Play
Play creates an imaginary situation that allows the child to work through desires that are unrealizable.
Play contains rules for behavior. If children are to successfully complete a play scene, they must follow the accepted rules for social behavior.
Emphasis on social interactions

13. Sigmund Freud
Studied human personality and emotional development – psychoanalysis
Had major influence on child rearing practices during the 20th century
Promoted gratifying experiences for children

14. Jean Piaget Had a major impact on early education
Believed the child actively constructs, rather than receives knowledge
Learning is a social and collaborative endeavor
Activities are learner centered
Activities are often cross-disciplinary, encouraging connections & integrating information
Topics should be student driven
Emphasis should be on understanding and application
Assessment is through authentic measures, not standardized testing

15. American Influences
The 20th century was a period of rapid improvements in American education.

16. John Dewey
A philosophy instructor who applied his philosophical ideas to the study of education
He began a Progressive Movement in American education
He believed that:
Education should be integrated with life
Education should preserve social values
True education occurs in social situations
Children’s instincts and powers create starting points for education
Active learning is essential

17. Erik Erikson German born came to the U.S. to continue his work
Refined and extended on the work of Freud
Emphasis on healthy personality
Epigenetic principle
Created psychosocial stages of development

18. Abraham Maslow Humanistic There is a basic goodness of children
Humans must successfully meet needs to lead to healthy development, if there are unmet needs, they will face difficulties
Stressed the importance of self
Developed the Hierarchy of Needs

19. Benjamin Bloom
Writings led to an increased interest in early childhood education
Popularized the importance of development in the early years
Promoted the idea that human intelligence was strongly influenced by environmental factors

20. Jerome Bruner
Harvard Professor who published “The Process of Education”
He challenged education at all levels, believing any subject could be taught to any person at any age
He promoted discovery or inquiry learning
Teachers should guide students as they uncover meaningful understandings

21. Arnold Gesell Discovered “norms” of development
Identified observable changes in growth and behavior

22. Patty Smith Hill
Created a strong curriculum for young children (based on Froebel and Dewey)
She helped found the Laboratory nursery school at Columbia University
Founded the National Association for Nursery Education, later to become NAEYC

23. Lucy Sprague Mitchell
Helped start the laboratory school at the Bureau of Education Experiments in New York, later renamed Bank Street College

24. Abigail Eliot
Directed the Ruggles Street Nursery in Boston, a model for Head Start Programs
Child-sized equipment, comprehensive program including health care, variety of materials, full-day program, worked with parents.

25. Historical Events Influencing Early Childhood Education
Child Study Movement
Valid Child development information came from this interest
Laboratory Nursery Schools
Bureau of Educational Experiments (Bank Street)
Columbia University Teachers College
Merrill-Palmer Institute
Yale Guidance Nursery

26. Historical Events Influencing Early Education (continued)
The Great Depression
Had an important impact on ECE
WPA (Works Progress Administration) put unemployed teachers, custodians, cooks and nurses to work in government sponsored preschools
A false perception was that if you could work with older children, you could easily work with young children
Another false perception was that teachers of young children did not need much training or salary for the work the did

27. Historical Events Influencing Early Education (continued)
World War II
With men needed in war, women hit the work force in numbers, creating a temporary need for care for young children
Lanham act made federal money available for child care.
The Kaiser Shipyard in Portland implemented:
Specially designed buildings, locations at work sites, open 24 hours a day, special attendance times, infirmary for sick children, family consultants, home food service

28. Historical Events Influencing Early Education (continued)
Sputnik
The launching of Russia’s 1st satellite in 1957, made the U.S. aware that we are behind them in the race to conquer this new frontier
We needed to do a better job educating our children so we could keep up with Russian Scientists
Renewed interest in ECE- more public support and federal funds
Yet, overemphasized intellectual performance, and high expectations.
The American public wanted a quick fix

29. Historical Events Influencing Early Education (continued)
The War on Poverty
JFK and Johnson wanted to help the low-income families break free from poverty
Head Start began, emphasizing on the development of the whole child and family participation
Project Follow Through – a way to continue assistance to low-income families through primary grades

30. Historical Events Influencing Early Education (continued)
Federal Mandates
No Child Left Behind Act (2001)
Designed to produce quality education for all
Three provisions
Renewed interest in reading
Strengthened teacher quality
Federal assistance for non-English speakers
“…to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain high-quality education”

31. Observing Development – Childhood Play
Observe
Go to MyEducationLab and select “Child Development” and watch the video “Intelligency-Infancy”
Reflect
What learning was taking place as the infant played with blocks?
Apply
What ways did the adult facilitate the play with blocks?

32. Multimedia Exploration and Activities…
Research
Go to MyEducationLab and select “Multicultural Education” then watch the video “Self-Concept Challenge”.
Reflect
What are the negative consequences for life on reservations for children? Are there positive consequences?
Respond
Discuss the History of Native American Education and its implications for early childhood education.