key contributors to the development of early childhood education

martin luther

strong believer in publicly supported schools and an advocate of universal, compulsory education

jan amos comenius

advanced the notion of lifelong education, beginning in the early years; realized the importance of a child’s readiness for an activity ; stressed training is a critical aspect of learning

john locke

believed that children are similar to a blank slate/tablet; environmental influences strongly impact a child’s development; sensory training is a critical aspect of learning

jean-jacques rousseau

emphasized the importance of early childhood education, which should be natural and allow for the unfolding of a child’s abilities; school should focus on the interests in children

johnann pestalozzi

advocated education through nature and following the child’s natural development; early champion of the whole child and involving parents in the educational process; promoter of sensory education

robert owen

theorized that the early years were important in developing a child’s character and behavior, linked social change and education; his infant school served as a forerunner of kindergartens

freidrich frobel

established the first kindergarten ; believed in the educational value and benefit of play; considered development as a natural process of unfolding that provides the foundation for a child’s learning

john dewey

founder of the school of thought known as progressivism; argued that learning flows from the interests of the child rather than from activities chosen by the teacher; coined the phrase child-centered curriculum and child-centered schools; viewed education as a process for living'; stressed social responsibility

maria montessori

believed that children learn best by direct sensory experience; was also convinced that there are sensitive periods for learning; designed learning materials that were self-correcting, were graded in difficulty and allowed for independent use

jean piaget

developed a stage theory of cognitive development; cognitive growth emerges from a child’s interaction with and adaptation to their physical environment ; children are self- motivated in the construction of their own knowledge which occurs through activity and discovery

vygotsky

russian psychologist who theorized that children’s development is significantly influenced by their social and cultural environments and the child’s interactions with individuals therein; saw learning and development as interrelated and integrative functions; originator of the concept of ZPD