Early Childhood Education History Timeline

  • Nov 10, 1483

    Martin Luther

    Martin Luther
    Martin Luther was a teacher and a preacher. He advocated schools to teach all children how to read. He also influenced modern day universal education and public support of education.
  • John Locke

    John Locke
    John Locke described all children as blank tablet. He said that their expriences determine who they are and that experiences are the basis of all learning. He influenced modern early learning by telling teachers that the sculpt the children and help them act and be polite and sucessful members of society.
  • Jean Jacques Rousseau

    Jean Jacques Rousseau
    Jean Rousseau advocated the natural approach to raising children. He felt that a child's nature would unfold due to maturation. He influenced modren theorists in saying that natural approach to education like family grouping and environmental literacy work best.
  • Johann Pestalozzi

    Johann Pestalozzi
    Johann Pestalozzi advocated that education should follow the course of nature and believed that education was based on sensory impressions. He believed that mothers should teach their children and influenced modern day home schooling. He laid the basis of discovery learning and believed that learning really occurs when children represent their experiences through drawing and writing.
  • Robert Owen

    Robert Owen
    Robert Owen said that the environment determines the child's beliefs, behaviors, and achievements. He believed that society could shape a child's character and that education can help build a new society. He influenced modern importance of infant programs. He believed that early childhood can reform society.
  • John Dewey

    John Dewey
    John Dewey started the progressive education movement. He wanted to create a curriculum based on the interests of the children. He influenced modern learning through discovery and child-centered education,
  • Abraham Maslow

    Abraham Maslow
    Abraham Maslow developed the theory of self actualization based on motivational needs. He said that human development was the process of meeting basic needs throughout one's life. He influenced modern importance of growth the of self-esteem movement, and emphasised on providing a safe, secure, loving, affectionate environment for all children.
  • Howard Gardner

    Howard Gardner
    Howard Gardner introduced the theory of multiple intelligences. He said that intelligence consists of a set of nine abilities. He influenced modern day indivdualized curriculum approach to match a child's particular intelligence. He helped bring awareness and attention to the many ways in which a child learns and thinks.