Ch. 7 & Ch. 8 Reading Reflection

After reading Chapter 7, I had a hard time choosing which historical figure to discuss. I finally decided on Friedrich Froebel because he was considered the "Father of Kindergarten." I enjoy working with early education classrooms and he had very practical ideas about elementary education. Overall, I enjoyed reading about the other educators as well. Here are some of my notes/thoughts:

Chapter 7: European Theorists

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• French Philosopher during the Enlightenment
• His mother died when he was only 9 days old
• He emphasized the importance of nature
• He abandoned and orphaned 5 children
• He thought that children were naturally good

*What I found ironic was that his father was unfair to him and he thought children were naturally good, yet he abandoned his own children.

Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi

• He valued emotionally secured environments 
• He was socially awkward
• His Swiss father died when he was only 5 years old

Friedrich Froebell

• Mother died at only 9 months old
• German roots - early childhood method led to establishment of kindergarten
• Early childhood education was a predominate feature to a child's learning

*I found it interesting that these educators had such dejected childhoods. 

Johann Friedrich Herbart

• A German university professor of philosophy
• Education is a moral and ethical endeavor
• Minds form networks - reminded me of the quote "The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled."
• Charter education such as morality, freedom, perfection, good will, righteousness, retribution 
• Instruction should be organized into sequential episodes that were connected by related ideas

Herbert Spencer

• British "survival of the fittest"
• Theory of evolution

Maria Montessori

• Italian educator - various schooling in her background
• Educated children physically, intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and socially
• Created the "Children's House" in which practical life skills, motor and sensory training, language and mathematical skills were emphasized

*Please click on Reading Response 5 to view my BioCube and questions.