Why do we care?
Historical events and social times
influence our values Political trends provoke a reaction from the social group In turn, influences how are children are raised and valued Current trends and practices are often rooted by some past practice (rediscovery)
Differing cultures
Some understanding of diverse
Remember
We often take what we hold to be
ways to do things
Dependent upon values, personal
and independence
and independence
Western European value but not
for those groups whose society promotes group harmony and interdependence
societies where children are held close, carrying them while they work; often poor, developing areas
of intellect and language Push down education that has increased focus on academic and intellectual standards with little discussion on developmental domains in the early years
socializing and educating its children, but how and when it is done, is very dependent upon the values and resources available.
In group settings:
1. Infant and toddler rooms 2. Preschools and nursery schools 3. Kindergarten 4. Grades 1-3
the bridge between the childs two worlds: Home and school (group setting)
Foundation for future learning
Ancient Times
Definition of early childhood varies
throughout time Often considered adults by age 7 Education started at home Schooling provided to wealthy boys Girls and working class taught domestic work
or 7, Plato and Aristotle thought education needed to be younger Romans felt education needed to be at home when started to talk Highlighted the use of rewards and ineffectiveness of corporal punishment
home Plato (427 B.C.) and Aristotle (384323B.C.) founded schools using small group tutoring Taught wealthy boys thinking skills, governing, military strategy and commerce
400-1200 A.D.
Roman Empire fell apart
parents but.. Parents focused on survival Childhood not seen as a separate time of life Children needed to get into labor force to contribute to family Schools ceased to exist
be prepared for the afterlife Children needed to be directed, punished and corrected Children expected to move quickly into adulthood
basic education for girls and the poor Children were viewed as good Printing press invented which allowed for books to be available to the common person This period brought to us the idea of universal education and literacy
1500s
Taught reading, writing, arithmetic and
book keeping became common through out Europe As living conditions improved, children lived longer Came to understand that the educated child could help improve the family conditions but.. Families needed help in educating their children
Modern Times
John Amos Comenius (1592-
1670)
Books with illustrations Teachers should follow childs own
timetable Learning by doing, using the senses, make exciting Social reform: educate poor and
account individual differences Goal was to make a reasoning creature so able to conduct business Instruction be playful and pleasant as well as drills
information Phases of development of a childs mind Education should match level of development Influenced future educators such as
children Education begins at birth Children pass through sensitive periods Sequential steps of learning
have been other influences in our educating of young Japan and China: harmony, children good and worth of respect Native Americans: interconnectedness between families and people and nature Africa: pool resources for common good Latin America and Hispanic: value children; cooperation; sensitivity to
American Influences
Colonial times: children sent to school for
religious reasons High death rate during starving season (60-70% under 4) Little overt affection Children were economic tools In the South, tutors to teach sons to read and write Post Revolutionary War, no move towards education until late 1800s because focus on growing crops and pioneering future During Industrial Revolution, manual labor and
African Americans
Prior to Civil War, limited opportunities for African
Americans to attend school Babies and pregnant women treated well because of their economic value Laws prohibiting the teaching of slaves; seen as threatening Post Civil War, first education of Blacks but often on a quota system and may be excluded
practices Education should be integrated into with life and support living in society (learning and living inseparable) Children were naturally good School focus on ALL the basics not just a few
Moving forward
There are many modern influences on
often a recycle or reforming of a philosophy from the past the is currently adopted as best practice for the current times