CHAPTER 1 – THE HISTORY OF ECE

Chapter 1: The History of Early Childhood Education

Learning Objective

• Examine the historical and theoretical frameworks that inform current practices in early childhood education.

NAEYC Standards

• Addressed Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation:

  • Standard 1: Promoting child development and learning.

  • Standard 2: Building family and community relationships.

  • Standard 6: Becoming a professional.

California Early Childhood Educator Competencies

Key competencies covered in this chapter:

• Child Development and Learning: Understanding stages of development and how children learn.

• Culture, Diversity, and Equity: Recognizing the impact of cultural differences on learning and development.

• Family and Community Engagement: Involving families and communities in the educational process.

• Health, Safety, and Nutrition: Ensuring children's health and well-being in educational settings.

• Learning Environments and Curriculum: Designing effective learning spaces and curricula for young children.

• Professionalism: Ethics and responsibilities as early childhood educators.

• Relationships, Interaction, and Guidance: Building strong relationships and guiding children’s behavior appropriately.

• Special Needs and Inclusion: Strategies for inclusive practices that cater to all children's needs.

NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct (May 2011)

Ethical Responsibilities

• To Children:

  • Ideals: I-1.1, I-1.2, I-1.5, I-1.8, I-1.9

  • Principles: P-1.1, P-1.2, P-1.7, P-1.11

• To Families:

  • Ideals: I-2.1, I-2.2, I-2.4, I-2.7, I-2.8, I-2.9

  • Principles: P-2.2, P-2.3

• To Community and Society:

  • Ideals: I-4.1, I-4.6, I-4.7, I-4.8

Notable Quote

“History is a kind of introduction to more interesting people than we can possibly meet in our restricted lives; let us not neglect the opportunity.” - Dexter Perkins

Preview

This chapter provides a comprehensive exploration of the historical foundations of Early Childhood Education, revealing the multifaceted influences that have shaped modern practices. Key terms include:

• Early Childhood: Developmental stage from birth to age 8, vital for foundational growth.

• Child Development: The progressive stages of growth, including physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects.

• Early Childhood Education: The strategic methods used to educate young children tailored to their developmental needs.

• Early Care and Education: A blend of caregiving and educational approaches, often referred to as 'educare,' focusing on holistic child development.

History of Early Childhood Education

• Investigates the changing perceptions of childhood throughout history. Historically, children were often seen as second-class citizens and subjected to severe discipline, with expectations to contribute to family labor rather than receive an education. Education was primarily a privilege granted to the elite, influenced heavily by religious teachings and facilitated by untrained caregivers.

A Time for Change

• Before the 1400-1600s, the understanding of parenting was predominantly guided by biblical texts. However, the Renaissance period brought about idealistic views recognizing children's inherent value. Activists emerged, willing to face considerable risks to advocate for children's rights and well-being.

Philosophical Influences

• The chapter discusses the key philosophers who played a critical role in reshaping societal views on childhood, championing the importance of nurturing and development in early childhood education.

Educational Influences

• It provides an overview of the various educational philosophies that have evolved and their current influence on early childhood practices.

Interdisciplinary Influences

• Early Childhood Education draws insights from various disciplines, including:

  • Medicine: Understanding child health.

  • Psychology: Cognitive and emotional development.

  • Biology: Growth and physical development.

  • Parent educators: Strategies and support for families.

• This interdisciplinary approach enriches the understanding of effective educational practices and the educator's role in fostering children's learning.

Contemporary Influences

• An overview highlighting modern understandings and methodologies currently impacting early childhood education will follow in the next section.

In Closing

This chapter emphasizes the critical historical contributors to early childhood education, preparing for a deeper exploration of the theoretical ideologies in subsequent chapters.

Reflection Questions

• How do historical practices continue to influence contemporary early childhood trends?

• In what ways do you perceive your responsibilities as an early childhood professional in light of this historical context?