Early Childhood Education: History, Philosophy and Experience » (New Edition)

"Every Early Childhood practitioner and policy-maker should keep a copy of this book on their shelves...a thought provoking, and highly informative celebration of the ideas of our field's pioneers. If we are to understand ourselves and our times, and to provide lovingly meaningful experiences for today's young children, we need to understand the web of philosophical legacies left by the pioneers and how they connect with our own."

-Professor Tricia David, Emeritus Professor, Canterbury Christ Church University and Honorary Emeritus Professor, University of Sheffield.


This book is for those who have often wondered what history can offer to modern practice. It explored important ideas behind the policies and practices in Early Childhood Education to help students and practitioners develop a fuller understanding of the children with whom they work.

The authors illustrate the rich histories of this ever developing field by bringing together ideas from the work and writings of some major historical figures who have significant shaped current practices in Early Childhood Education. Using imaginative tools to 'bring alive' the ideas of past pioneer, the authors show how our understanding of contemporary issues has been influenced by these pioneers. The book also shows how today's practitioners themselves can become the pioneers of future development.

Written by three authors who have had experience in working with children in a wide range of settings, this book is for Early Childhood students and practitioners, including those on BA and MA courses. It is also for those undergoing training to gain Qualified Teacher Statusand Early Years Professional Status and experiences staff involved in leading early years practice or self- or organizational development.


Cathy Nutbrown in Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Sheffield.

Peter Clough is Professor of Inclusive Education at Liverpool Hope University.

Philip Selbie is Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at the University of Plymouth.

About the authors     ix
Acknowledgements     x
Introduction     1
A Short History of Early Childhood Education     3
The legacy of history     3
Early childhood education in the UK: a brief history     4
Foundation stones: some key figures whose work has influenced thinking and development of provision for young children     8
Into the twenty-first century: twenty years of policy change     15
Understanding recent history: 1998-2008     15
Into the future, learning from the past     17
The Pioneers: Their Lives and Works     19
Socrates     22
Jan Amos Komensky (Comenius)     23
Jean-Jacques Rousseau     25
Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi     27
Robert Owen     30
Friedrich Froebel     32
Charles Dickens     34
Charlotte Mason     36
Sigmund Freud     38
Rachel McMillan     40
John Dewey     42
Margaret McMillan     44
Rudolf Steiner     46
Maria Montessori     49
Alexander Sutherland (A. S.) Neill     52
Susan Sutherland Isaacs     54
LouisChristian Schiller     56
Lev Semyonovich Vygotsky     57
Donald Woods Winnicott     58
Jean Piaget     60
Erik Erickson     62
Carl Rogers     65
Burrhus Frederic (B. F.) Skinner     67
Robin Tanner     69
Talking of Early Childhood Education: Six 'Conversations'     71
So, who needs history?     74
Why early childhood education?     90
What motivates young children to learn?     102
How do young children learn?     112
Literacy in the early years: a pedagogy of patience?     120
From God and Church to awe and wonder: spirituality and creativity in early childhood education     128
Plus ca change ...?     141
Children's rights     142
The arts and creativity     146
Literacy     151
Play, learning and pedagogy     154
Early intervention     158
Home learning and parents     166
Inclusion     170
Conclusion     179
What is education for?     179
What is early education for?     180
So who needs history?     181
References, further reading historical archives and other sources consulted     183
Author Index     199
Subject Index     201