Lesson 1:
History of Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Read: Chapter 1and Lecture 1

Pre-Discussion Biography Post

Post an introduction in the discussion group.

Tell us:

• why you took the course;
• what you hope to learn;
• where you are located (city and state is fine),
• and anything else you feel comfortable sharing.

History is a like a story. All stories have a beginning, middle and an end. In the case of early childhood, I guess you could say that we are somewhere in the middle. But, how did we get to the middle? That is a question that can only be answered by looking at where we came from. To have an understanding of the past gives you better insight of the present, and I hope it will better guide you into the future. Each of us has a history. If you looked back to your early childhood what who you see? Drawing on the knowledge of your past enables you to understand where you are now. Knowing your own history may also help you to connect with the children that you will or do provide care for. As we explore the history of Early Childhood Education (ECE) and touch upon our own history it will connect the past, present and future.

The field of early childhood did not suddenly appear yesterday. It has a history rich with influences that go beyond this nation. The field of early childhood has been advanced by both women and men. Their life stories inspired them to shape the early childhood profession. The history of early childhood also crosses disciplines. The fields of medicine, education and psychology have all played a part in shaping early childhood practices and philosophy. The political and social practices of the past have also influence how children were raised and educated. I was born in the fifties. During the fifties and sixties our nation went through a lot of changes (e.g. Vietnam, Civil Rights Movement). I remember science being pushed when I was in elementary school. Why the focus on science? Because it looked like the Russians would get to the moon before the U.S. did. The introduction of a Black History class (rather than just a week to celebrate Black History) to my high school's list of courses only happened after student protest (the sixties were a time of the civil rights movement). Take a moment and think about what was happening in the nation or the town you lived in when you were young? How did it affect how you were raised or what and how you were taught?

As you read through your text you will see that the history of ECE is not cut and dry. Practices and philosophies have changed over time. As stated above there are many things that have influenced the history. As you gain more knowledge about the field you may see your current philosophy and practices change; or you might just find out that what you believe and do is not new. New ideas are good, but we must not forget about the past. Reexamination is good; sometimes the new ideas can blend with the old.

When we talk about early childhood education what age groups do most people think of? If you said infants and preschool age children you would be correct. But, early childhood education goes beyond infants and preschoolers. Children in elementary school (kindergarten through the third grade) are also included. However, when we look back at history we will see that the period considered childhood has changed. The history of early childhood reveals a time when children were not valued. As the views toward children changed so did their lives.

In ancient societies children were considered an adult by seven. If you were a boy from a wealthy family, formal education would begin by age six or seven. For the most part education was informal. Children learned from their parents and were expected to work and help with the family. During these times if you were a girl, well you were out of luck. Training in how to care for a home was about all you would get. Boys from working class families might be trained in a particular trade.

It was not until the 1400s that educators started to advocate education for the poor and girls.

Before this time only the wealthy and clergy were able to have books. In 1439 Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press and books became more assessable to all people regardless of their economic and social standing. Martin Luther, a cleric during this time, urged parents of the importance of educating their children. Universal education and literacy as stated in your text "…are two fundamental affects of this period on education."

By the 1500s, what was being taught to children had expanded. No more were children just educated for "preparation for the afterlife" as commonly done in church-controlled schools. Reading, writing and math became common subjects as towns grew; the views held concerning children changed. Over the next hundred years there were many notable individuals that played a part in the history of early childhood education.

Learn by doing; children learn through their senses; and children learn at their own pace is something that is said often in early childhood programs. This way of thinking and doing things are not new. John Amos Comenius (1592-1670) was an educator that believed that learned by doing children. He believed that teachers should observe children to see what the interests were and then work with them. He thought that learning should be natural. Comenius was also an advocate concerning the importance of educating all children. He is also known for writing the first children's picture book "Orbis Pictus" (The World of Pictures). Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi (1746-1827) was also an educator who believed in education through the senses. He believed in educating the whole child (mind, body and soul) and that children should be educated in a group environment. Another notable individual is Friedrich Wilhelm Froebel (1782-1852) who is considered the "Father of the Kindergarten". Frobel observed children to develop a better understanding of how they learned and what they like to do. Froebel developed the first educational toys and called them "gifts". These aforementioned individual, are but a hand full of people who have left their mark on the field of early childhood education. As you read your text you will learn about the contributions of Locke, Rousseau and Montessori.

A big part of educating has been and is still the transmitting of values (political, social, and spiritual). From your readings you can see that early childhood education was built on the values and beliefs of Europeans. This European influence played a big part in the American educational system. Even the first kindergarten in America (1856) was fashioned after the German kindergarten started by Froebel in 1817. By the 1900s the old European view point clashed with the new American way of thinking. John Dewey (1858-1952) is the person considered the first to have influenced the American education system. His influence remains to this day.

The history of early childhood is being written, each day by people like you and me who know the value of childhood. In this lecture I have merely touched on the history of early childhood education. As you read you will learn much more. In the next chapter you will learn about the various types of early childhood programs.

Gordon A & Browne, K (2008). Beginnings and Beyond, Foundations in Early Childhood Education (8^th ed.). California: Wadsworth Cengage Learning