EC Philosophers and Practioners W25

Who believed that children born “tabula
rasa”, a blank slate?

John Locke

Which theorist believed in “Nurture” was more important than “nature?

John Locke

Who believed Children learn through
their senses? (Hint Locke into your senses)

John Locke

who believed that respectful relationships
are important?

John Locke

Nurture is the key

John Locke

Learning should not be
imposed on children?

John Locke

Who said “God makes all things good,
man meddles with them
and they become evil?”

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Wrote Emile

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Human beings are
essentially good

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Children go through
developmental stages

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Children’s thinking different
from adult thinking

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Education should follow the
natural development of the child.
child

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Children learn best from experience

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Go with the Flow

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Who said the following:

“Hold childhood in reverence, and do not be in any
hurry to judge it for good or ill. Leave exceptional
cases to show themselves, let their qualities be
tested and confirmed, before special methods are
adopted. Give nature time to work before you take
over her business, lest you interfere with her
dealings. You assert that you know the value of
time and are afraid to waste it. You fail to perceive
that it is a greater waste of time to use it ill than to
do nothing, and that a child ill taught is further from
virtue than a child who has learnt nothing at all.”

Jean Jacques Rousseau in Emile

“What is natural takes
place without compulsion.”

John Amos Comenius

All children should be
educated – rich and poor

John Amos Comenius

School should be enjoyable

John Amos Comenius

First years crucial

John Amos Comenius

Children learn best from real world expirences

John Amos Comenius

Follow children’s lead

John Amos Comenius

Teach children in their own
language

John Amos Comenius

Wrote first children’s
picture book – Orbis Pictus

John Amos Comenius

Every child has potential
to learn

Johann Pestalozzi

Observing children
important to teaching
them.

Johann Pestalozzi

Teachers must know child
development

Johann Pestalozzi

Educate the whole child

Johann Pestalozzi

Relationships important

Johann Pestalozzi

The Father of
Kindergarten
“A garden for children”

Friedrich Froebel

Mother/child relationships are important

Children’s play important

Child’s learning unfolds

Friedrich Froebel

Believed singing aids in
learning

Friedrich Froebel

Originated circle times

Friedrich Froebel

Developed first
educational toys
(“occupations” & “gifts”)

Friedrich Froebel

If instructed properly all
children can learn

Maria Montessori

Taught importance of
child-sized furniture

Maria Montessori

There are sequential
steps to learning

Maria Montessori

Play and social
Interaction with peers not
important to the learning
experience

Maria Montessori

Materials important to
the learning process
the Absorbent Mind

Maria Montessori

Children can’t learn if
hungry

Margaret and Rachel McMillan

Must care for physical
needs of children first

Margaret and Rachel McMillan

Founded Open Air
Nursery

Margaret and Rachel McMillan

Parent involvement
important

Margaret and Rachel McMillan

Children’s art
(spontaneous drawings)
important to
development

Margaret and Rachel McMillan

Organized the first
English speaking
kindergarten

Elizabeth Peabody

Wrote first American
kindergarten textbook
for teachers

Elizabeth Peabody

Helped American
teachers become aware
of Froebel’s work

Elizabeth Peabody

Interpreted and
advocated Froebel’s
work

Susan Elizabeth Blow

Founded first public
school kindergarten

Susan Elizabeth Blow

Worked to train
kindergarten teachers

Susan Elizabeth Blow

Founder of NAEYC

Patty Smith Hill

Taught kindergarten

Patty Smith Hill

Rejected strict Froebelian methods

Patty Smith Hill

Worked for improvements in
kindergarten curriculum, teaching
methods

Patty Smith Hill

A teacher educator

Patty Smith Hill

Emphasized need for large motor
equipment, sand and water play,
dramatic play

Patty Smith Hill

Wrote song, “Happy Birthday to
You”

Patty Smith Hill

Greatly influenced course of
education in U.S

John Dewey

Education involves training
physical, intellectual and
social knowledge and skills

John Dewey

Progressivism – Focus on
needs of children, “child-
centered curriculum”

John Dewey

Children and teachers and
parents should learn from
each other

John Dewey

Introduced the idea of
integrated curriculum

John Dewey

"Education is the process
of living and not a
preparation for
future living.”

John Dewey

Believed teacher training
needed; focus should be
on teaching Child
Development

LucLucy Sprague Mitchell

Founded Bank Street
College

Lucy Sprague Mitchell

Established writer
workshops for authors of
children’s books

Lucy Sprague Mitchell

Inventor of unit blocks

Caroline Pratt

founded the play
school

Caroline Pratt

believed teacher’s role
to nurture play

Caroline Pratt

Curriculum should also
promote creativity

Caroline Pratt

“I learn from children.”

Caroline Pratt