From left to right: Johann Pestalozzi, Horace Mann, Friedrich Froebel, and Maria Montessori
Johann Pestalozzi
Born: 1747
Died: 1827
Occupation: Educational Reformer and Educator
Major Influences: He was influenced by Rousseau's educational philosophy of Naturalism. He even reared his child in the same way the fictional character Emile had been.
Major Contributions/Works: Leonard and Gertrude; A work similar to Emile. The basic principle behind the work was that natural education had the potential to reform society as a whole. He proposed education that was natural and sensory-based. He was also a proponent of creating schools and classrooms with foundations of emotional security and love. He believed that these aspects would foster the development of morally sound individuals.
Roots: His ideas on building schools and classrooms based on emotional security and love can be compared to today's premise of reaching students in the affective domain (heart/emotions) first before teaching and catering to their intellectual needs. Many successful teachers know that connecting with students affectively builds the bridge to connecting with them cognitively.
Horace Mann
Born: 1796
Died: 1859
Occupation: Politician, Lawyer, Secretary of the Board of Education in Massachusetts
Major Influences: Whig Ideology, his trips to various countries around the world
Major Contributions/Works: Mann is known as the Leader of the Common School Movement; He believed that public (common) schools could be an agent of national economic advancement and civil order (Gutek, 2010). His ideas were progressive in that he believed common schools should be socially integrative and publicly controlled, governed, and supported (Gutek, 2010). Common schools brought children of all socioeconomic backgrounds together in the name of education. He was also a proponent of the professionalization of the field of teaching.
Roots: Horace Mann's idea of socially integrative schools can be seen as a precursor for racial integration of schools during the Civil Rights era of American History. His ideas on teacher education and professional development helped people see the field as a potential life-long, rewarding career.
Friedrich Froebel
Born: 1782
Died: 1852
Occupation: Early childhood Educator
Major Influences: Lutheran Christianity
Major Contributions/Works: Froebel is known as the Founder of Kindergarten. He said that play was a natural way for young children to express their feelings and was very important to their physical, emotional, and intellectual growth--this was the key principle of his Kindergarten theory. He also said that Kindergarten teachers should be loving, caring individuals who adapt teaching and learning to student behavior patterns.
Roots: Most individuals in the United States who are integrated into society have gone through "Kindergarten". For many of us it was our first introduction to school-life. Kindergarten has been a part of the American educational system as early as the 19th century.
Maria Montessori
Born: 1870
Died: 1952
Occupation: Physician, Early childhood Educator
Major Influences: Rousseau, Pestalozzi, and Froebel
Major Contributions/Works: Her educational pedagogy, named after her. The philosophy focuses on two important elements: the child (student) and the environment. Key principles of the Montessori Theory are: independence--allowing the child to do things for his/herself; observation--watching the child to learn more about him/her and his/her needs; follow the child--give them opportunities to learn what to do and how to do it; correct the child--but always do so without anger; prepared environment--key element of the theory that allowed the child to develop sensory acuity, practice skills, and develop thought processes (Gutek, 2010); absorbent mind--children are like sponges. Even if they do not seem to be listening, they probably are.
Roots: Montessori Schools have been established throughout this country and the world. This educational pedagogy offers structure for the teacher and offers freedom to learn and discover the environment freely to the student.