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John Locke was an English philosopher, and considered to be the founder of modern educational philosophy. Locke theorized the concept of tabula ruse, the belief that the child is born neutral, rather than evil, and a "clean slate" on which the experiences of parents, society, education, and the world are written. He based his theory on the scientific method and approached a child as a doctor would examine a patient.
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Rousseau was a Swiss writer and philosopher, proposed that children were not inherently evil, but naturally good. He reasoned that education should reflect this goodness and allow spontaneous interests and activities of the children. Although he was not an educator, Rousseau suggested that school atmosphere should be less restrained and more flexible to meet the needs of the children.
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Pestalozzi was a Swiss educator, and offered theories on education and caring that have formed the basis of many common teaching practices of early childhood education. He wanted education to be the hand, the head, and the heart of the child. Pestalozzi's contributions are the strongest around integration of the curriculum and group teaching.
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The ethnic of social reform, expects that schooling for young children leads to social change and improvement. Montessori built a school that would not only educate the children and improve their lives, but also show that education is a way to reform society towards broader, more inclusive, and stronger supports for all children and citizens.
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German was the first country to have kindergarten. Kindergarten has gone through many social changes throughout the years. At first it was for poor students and then it went to be led by churches. The kindergarten we know today is the first grade that students enter when they go to school to help them become more independent and prepared for the following grades.
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Froebel was one of the major contributors to early childhood education. He is best known as the "Father of the Kindergarten." More than 100 years ago, Froebel's kindergartens included blocks, pets, and finger plays. Some of his theories about children and their education later influenced Montessori and were reflected in the educational materials she developed, as well as modern kindergarten.
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Robert Owen was an industrialist and follower of Pestalozzi. Owen was a self-made businessman whose philosophy extended to the creation of an ideal community. He believed that people were naturally good but were corrupted by harsh environment and poor treatment. His infant school provided a secure setting for children aged 3 to 10 years and was based on philosophy of guidance rather than punishment.
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By the late 1920s and 1930s, early childhood education had reached a professional status in the United States. Nursery schools and day nurseries went beyond custodial health care.
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Rudolph Steiner was a philosopher, scientist, and artist. He gave lectures for the German factories of Waldorf-Astoria that led to the establishment of schools known as Waldorf Education. Steiner theorized that childhood is a phase of life that is important in it's own right. For Steiner, the people with whom the child interacts are of central importance and schools work from a broad developmental framework.
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Montessori became the first female physician in Italy. She worked in the slums of Rome with poor children and children with intellectual disabilities. Montessori designed materials, classrooms, and a reaching procedure that proved her point that these children were not defective, but rather could thrive and succeed in school. The "Montessori Method" is both a philosophy of child development and a plan for guiding growth.
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Head Start is the largest publicly funded education program for young children in the United States. It pointed out the plight of the poor, education was highlighted as a major stumbling block toward the equality of all people. Over the years, Head Start has provided comprehensive developmental services to more than 10 million children and their families.
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HighScope was made to address the effects of poverty on children's development and focus attention on cognitive aspects of learning. HighScope was developed by Weikart and colleagues. This model has made positive long-term impacts on how ECE delivers excellent preschool education.
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Alexander Sutherland Neill was the most famous proponent of the "free/natural school" movement of the mid-20th century. Neill's belief in freedom was practiced in his school, where children governed themselves and worked toward equal rights with adults.
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The foundation of good teaching for young children is based in engaging in practices, regardless of the setting, that are appropriate to the children in front of you. DAP ensures that the public understands and endorses these priorities.
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The introduction of technology has been staggering in it's speed and influence. The messages children get both from observing the world through media na from their interaction with that world later in childhood deserve consideration and balance.