History of Early Childhood Education

A set of vocabulary flashcards designed to review key concepts and terminology related to the history of early childhood education.

Early Childhood Education

A branch of education focusing on the development and learning of young children, typically from birth to age eight.

NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct

A guideline outlining the ethical responsibilities and commitments of early childhood educators to children, families, colleagues, and society.

• Core Values

• Ethical Responsibilities to Children

• Ethical Responsibilities to Families

• Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues

• Ethical Responsibilities to Community and Society

Head Start

A program initiated in the 1960s to provide preschool education and support for disadvantaged children and families.

Tabula Rasa

A theory introduced by John Locke suggesting that individuals are born as a 'blank slate' and that experience shapes their development.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

A philosopher who emphasized the natural goodness of children and the importance of respecting their interests in education.

Émile

The first children’s book, written by Rousseau, about the natural goodness of a child and how they should be allowed to play freely.

Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi

An educator who integrated pragmatic teaching methods and emphasized group learning.

Friedrich Froebel

Developed the concept of kindergarten based on his childrens’ poor experience in childhood, emphasizing the importance of play in early childhood education. Was under Pestalozzi’s tutelage.

John Dewey

An educational reformer who questioned traditional education and advocated for progressive education and experiential learning.

Maria Montessori

An educator known for her child-centered educational philosophy that promotes hands-on learning, practical life experiences/activities and self-directed activities.

Behaviorism

A theory that studies observable behavior, emphasized by figures like Pavlov and Bandura, focusing on stimulus-response relationships.

Patty Hill Smith

Helped found and serve NANE which became the National Association for the Education o f Young Children (NAEYC), a key organization in Early Childhood Education.

Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP)

Teaching methods and curricula that are suitable for the age and developmental stage of children.

Progressive Education

An educational movement that focuses on active learning and promoting individual student's needs.
Key Themes:

• Individual needs and differences

• Active engagement in learning

• Flexibility in educational environments

• Focus on real-life applications in learning

Casa di Bambini

The first Montessori school opened by Maria Montessori, designed for disadvantaged children.

Play-Based Learning

An educational approach that uses play as a primary method for facilitating learning in early childhood.

Child Development

The field devoted to understanding constancy and change from conception to adolescence.

Constructivist Theory

A theory positing that learners construct knowledge through experiences and reflection on those experiences.

Holistic Development

An approach that aims to support the overall development of a child, covering physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth.

Spanish Era

Local History of ECE
They believed that education was only for the nobility or illustrados. Education focused on functional literacy, moral values, and religious teachings. Utilized the Cartilla system which were a combination of alphabet letters.

American Occupation

Local History of ECE

The Philippines received the remnants of the “Child Study Movement” in the US, emphasis on Protestant teachings by American Missionaries, and their public education system

Harris Memorial College (1924)

Local History of ECE

Was a nursing school founded to train teachers and caregivers in early childhood education, focusing on language and holistic development.

Postwar Era

Local History of ECE

There was a lack of trained teachers so high school graduates had to take crash courses in teaching. This rekindled government institutions to offer teacher training programs.

Marcos Dictatorship

Local History of ECE

PD 603: Child and Youth Welfare Code - A Philippine law enacted in 1974 that aimed to promote the welfare of children and youth, ensuring their rights and protection through various programs and services.

2000

Local History of ECE
Philippine standard on developmentally appropriate checklist for early childhood education programs and practices was developed. (ECCD Checklist)

Kindergarten Education Act of 2012 (RA No. 10157)

Local History of ECE

Kindergarten or Pre-school became a part of formal education, as they were all previously taken upon by private institutions.

ECCD Council

A governing body responsible for establishing standards and policies for early childhood care and development.

Early Years Act of 2013 (RA No. 10410)

Philippine legislation aimed at improving early childhood education and development services.

UN SDG 4

Aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum

Curriculum designed to be suitable for the age, experience, and individual needs of children.

Child Development Centers (CDCs)

Facilities providing education and care for young children, emphasizing developmental appropriateness.

Early Intervention Services

Support services designed to address developmental delays in young children as early as possible.

Ecosystems Theory in Education

Bronfenbrenner's theory highlighting the multiple layers of environmental influence on child development.

Children’s Brains

Grows the fastest in the first 5 years

7 years old

The age where the brain size of a child is 90% of an adult’s brain

Essential Interactions to help the development of babies’ brains

1. Connection

2. Talking - fosters language development

3. Playing - involvement of significant adults; games like peekaboo

4. Healthy Home - strong and secure relationships

5. Community - serve and return

Barriers to Brain Development

1. Neglect

2. Access to basic survival needs

3. Unhealthy and stressful (home) environment

4. Excessive exposure to screen time

Inequalities in Early Childhood

1. Genetics

2. Poverty

3. Time (in parent relationships, to survive)

4. Cognitive Skills

5. Social skills

Types of CDCs in the Philippines

• Home Based

• Center Based

• Supervised neighborhood play (SNP)

• ECCD on wheels - available for those who dont have access to physical or home based centers

• ECCD on horse

  • Alabel, Sarangani

  • 5 horses provided by UNICEF, cared for by LGU

RA 7610

Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act (1992)

• Protects children from physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, child labor, trafficking, neglect, discrimination, and exploitation

RA 12199

Early Childhood Care and Development System Act (2025)

• Safeguards and promotes the right of all children to holistic well-being. The development of a comprehensive and sustainable ECCD system

RA 10157

Kindergarten Education Act (2012)

Makes Kindergarten compulsory and part of basic education; requires children to complete Kindergarten before entering Grade 1.

Ensures free public Kindergarten education; promotes age-appropriate, developmentally appropriate curriculum; aims to improve school readiness and reduce dropout rates.

RA 11148

Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act (2018)

Strengthens and scales up health and nutrition programs on mothers and children during the first 1000 days of life.

The right to adequate food, care and nutrition to pregnant and lactating mothers, including adolescent girls, women of reproductive age, and especially children from zero (0) to two (2) years old.