Early Childhood Education History

Early childhood education history is incredibly fascinating. There were many great leaders who took the time to perform studies and case studies to determine best practices for our children. We still hold many of these leaders’ opinions in high regard even today.

Of course, you can’t talk about the history of early childhood education without talking about the people who shaped it. It’s simply impossible to separate the two. There were many, many who were involved over the past century, but a few stand out especially.

Johann Amos Comenius

One of the earliest advocates for early childhood education was Johann Amos Comenius. He believed that the best way to have positive social reform was to shape the lives of the youngest in the community. He wrote a book called The Great Didactic in the year 1657 that described the need young children have for systems of education.

Johann especially believed in the power of building on children’s sense to help them learn. Tactile and kinesthetic learning were high on his list.

John Locke

John Locke was also famous in the 1600’s for early childhood education reform. He was of the camp that people are not pre-formed in the womb; rather they learn their behaviors and patterns from their environment. He is famous for the thought that we are blank slates when we are born (tabula rasa). John believed that one of the best ways to shape children was to make sure they learned through physical activity.

Maria Montessori

You’ve probably heard the name of Maria Montessori (1870-1952) as there is a system of Montessori schools. These are generally private schools that are dedicated to teaching as Maria laid out. Like her early childhood education predecessors, Maria believed that children are formed as individuals. Education should be led by the child with objects and furniture that is built for them and that they can easily manipulate. Adults should be there to guide, but never to interfere.

Jean Piaget

Jean Piaget (1896-1980) is famous in psychology circles for his breakdown of the stages we all go through. He believed that infancy and early childhood is very important. Children go through stages at an independent rate from the time they are born. That is why it is so important to train them early on, as it sets them up for success for the rest of their lives.

That is definitely just the tip of the ice burg when it comes to great people throughout history who have shaped early childhood education as we know it today. There will continue to be new trends and technique, but what these people have taught us seems to be evergreen.

Learning about early childhood education history is a great way to shape your career as an educator