Introduction
Early childhood education has the importance of laying the foundation for personal development and life-long learning of a child. It serves as the preliminary point for the formal education of children. Research has shown that human brain has unique properties to show from the period of birth till the age of 8. This phase is critical for the development of brain and is considered as the best time for learning. External environment has crucial influence to the development of brain. If an accepting and safe environment is provided to children along with abundant sensory stimulation, then it will have positive impact on the development of brain which contributes to future learning. Numerous learning theories have shown that children construct knowledge and learn gradually with adult’s assistance. Some of those theories are mentioned in the subsequent parts.
Task
A lot of theorists have provided their views relating to the impact of early education on children. The task here is to summarize and congregate a few of the most renowned theorists. Theorists that will be discussed, summarized, analyzed, and congregated in this WebQuest include:
- Friedrich Froebel
- Maria Montessori
- John Dewey
- Jean Piaget
- Lev Vygotsky
Process
The process that will be followed in this section is analysis, summary, and congregation of prior mentioned theorists. Their contribution in the field of early education of children will also be highlighted in this section.
- Friedrich Froebel
Froebel laid the basis of early education of children which is now known as kindergarten. He applied hands on learning to children and in return, their parents offered him a small patch of property that Froebel used as garden. He found that direction observation and action were great ways to educate children. He founded his own school in 1837 named as kindergarten, meaning children’s garden. Prior to kindergarten, children below the age of 7 did not attend school. In the end, the most prominent gift to children by Froebel is classroom that is viewed as thriving and loving garden which every child wants along with a teacher who takes the role of supportive and loving parent.
- Maria Montessori
Montessori penetrated in children education when she realized that the best way to teach a child is not to make them try something new again and again but to teach them necessary actions and movements in order to learn the skill. Montessori provided us the concept of early education classroom of its kinds that provide children a comfortable and warm environment that activate learning. A large number of today’s schools operate with the wisdoms of Montessori’s methods.
- John Dewey
John Dewey emphasized that children learn by doing. Important skills such as math concepts, language, and problem solving were created as children were allowed to freely move around and explore their surroundings. He believes that education is when teacher observe children’s interest and assist them in following through these interests. In the entire process of education, both children and teacher are learners together.
- Jean Piaget
Piaget stated that children do not think like adults. Their though process has unique dimensions and their own special logic and distinct order. They are not empty vessels but are active builders of knowledge. They are little scientist who develop their own theories for the world.
- Lev Vygotsky
Vygotsky believed that leaning can be enhanced if it arises within the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) of a child. The ZPD contains concepts and skills that are not completely formed but are at the edge of emergence. Vygotsky contributed with a wealth of ideas. He revealed how children try to understand the world around them and how they work with responsive and sensitive reactions of teacher.
Evaluation
All the five mentioned theorists have contributed remarkable to the early education of children. However, as long as the implementation of these theories is concerned, it can be observed that the ‘kindergarten’ concept of Froebel and ‘Montessori’ concept of Maria Montessori are widely implemented.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that the theories behind the basis of today’s early education must be known to everyone who pursues their career in the field of children’s education. Furthermore, new research and ideas are required in order to best understand the children’s though process.
Credits
Create WebQuest. (n.d.). Create WebQuest. Retrieved from: https://www.createwebquest.com/node/add/webquest?
Deborah J. Leong, Elena Bodrova. (n.d.). Pioneers In Our Field: Lev Vygotsky - Playing to Learn. Retrieved from: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/pioneers-our-field-lev-vygotsky-playing-learn
Early Childhood Today Editorial Staff. (2000). Pioneers In Our Field: Friedrich Froebel - Founder of the First Kindergarten. Retrieved from: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/pioneers-our-field-friedrich-froebel-founder-first-kindergarten
Early Childhood Today Editorial Staff. (2000). Pioneers In Our Field: Maria Montessori - A Sensory Approach to Learning. Retrieved from: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/pioneers-our-field-maria-montessori-sensory-approach-learning
Early Childhood Today Editorial Staff. (2000). Pioneers In Our Field: John Dewey - Father of Pragmatism. Retrieved from: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/pioneers-our-field-john-dewey-father-pragmatism
Early Childhood Today Editorial Staff. (1996). Pioneers In Our Field: Jean Piaget - Champion of Children's Ideas. Retrieved from: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/pioneers-our-field-jean-piaget-champion-childrens-ideas