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FRIEDRICH FROEBEL was a German educator who established what we know to be kindergarten. He believed that structured play translated to learning.

Opened the first kindergarten in Blankenburg, Germany called "The Institution for Play and Occupation"

Developed a system for children aged 3-6 to learn through songs and playing with "gifts" or toys such as number blocks or building blocks as we know them

Changed the norm of children being taught by men because he believed it was paramount that children be taught by women

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ELIZABETH PALMER PEABODY was not only an educator, but an author, and publisher. She holds the responsibility for kindergarten being in the United States.

In 1856 she studies an article about Froebel's pedagogy and methods

Influenced by the article, 4 years later she opened the first kindergarten in the United States

Made it a priority to advocate for kindergartens nationwide

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SUSAN BLOW was a pioneer in early education. She made it apparent that kindergarten be a vital part in American education.

Opened and directed the first PUBLIC kindergarten in the US

Her initiative helped 9,000 schools just throughout Iowa to incorporate kindergarten in their elementary schools

She later helped found the International Kindergarten Union

She also wrote 5 books on Froebel's theories

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MARIA MONTESSORI was an early education mogul. She started off as a physician where she became one of the first women in Italy to earn a medical degree.

Developed "The Montessori Method", which consisted of helping children learn basic concepts first then academic subjects

Opened the first Montessori school in the slums of Rome for children ages 3-6

The teachings have expanded through all ages up to the high school level

Today there are about 4,200 Montessori schools alone I the US, while about 110 Othe countries utilize this approach as well

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THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN was founded. NAEYC was founded to promote and support high-quality early childhood education for all young children from birth to age 8.

NAECY is the largest nonprofit association in the United States that speaks for early childhood educators, young families, legislators, and activists

Patty Smith Hill founded and served as the first President of the NAECY

By bridging practice, policy, and research there are 10 standards of excellence, NAECY follows to ensure high-quality learning

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THE HEAD START PROGRAM was established. This was a program designed to assist low-income children with the opportunity to "catch up" for the upcoming school year.

It started as an 8 week Summer program

President Lyndon B. Johnson used initiative to fight what he called, 'The War On Poverty'

This program became very successful and helped millions of low-income families

Head Start assisted families with education needs, health services, nutritional services, parent involvement, and family support services

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THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR CHILD CARE was founded. NAFCC was established to support and promote the quality of family day care programs.

Started in California with a group of child care providers who wanted to advocate for their profession

Opened the door to other providers that led to professional development opportunities to be created and resources for the providers themselves

The amount of advocacy through this program improved the quality of family child care to guarantee that providers have access to the tools and resources they require in order to thrive

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THE CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT was created. This grant was designed to help low-income families afford child-care while they were either working or in school.

The money that is allocated goes directly to the state and they then decide how to best use the funds

The majority of the funds are allocated to families with children under the age of 5, although the grant covers children up to 13 years of age

There is an eligibility income ceiling which makes families have to qualify for this program

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THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT was formed. This federal law placed accountability on all schools for students success.

This law was initiated by President George W. Bush

NCLB forced schools to have bachelor degree and state certified teachers in their facilities.

This set a new tone in schools because if they show results, they were subject to sanctions and other heavy penalties

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A brief history and overview of the head start program. (2024, March 18). First Five Years Fund. https://www.ffyf.org/resources/2020/10/a-brief-history-and-overview-of-the-head-start-program/

A brief history and overview of the head start program. (2024, March 18). First Five Years Fund. https://www.ffyf.org/resources/2020/10/a-brief-history-and-overview-of-the-head-start-program/

Montessori School of Huntsville. (2016, December 5). Dr. Maria Montessori - Montessori School of Huntsville. https://www.montessorihuntsville.org/montessori-method/dr-maria-montessori/

Curtis, S. J. (1998, July 20). Friedrich Froebel | German educator & founder of Kindergarten. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Friedrich-Froebel

Head start history | ECLKC. (2024, June 27). ECLKC. https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/about-us/article/head-start-history

Home of Elizabeth Palmer Peabody - Clio. (n.d.). Clio. https://theclio.com/entry/66900

Wong, A. (2016, January 12). How the Every Student Succeeds Act Will Really Change No Child Left Behind-Era Schools. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/12/the-bloated-rhetoric-of-no-child-left-behinds-demise/419688/

Rose, D. (2018, October 8). NAEYC accreditation announcement | Early Learning Center for Research and Practice. https://elc.utk.edu/2018/10/08/3883/

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. (n.d.). LII / Legal Information Institute. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/no_child_left_behind_act_of_2001

Shepley, C. (2011, March 8). Susan Blow: Bringing public kindergarten to the US. Missouri Historical Society. Retrieved August 29, 2024, from https://mohistory.org/blog/susan-blow-bringing-public-kindergarten-to-the-u-s

The first five things to know: The Child Care & Development Block Grant. (2024, February 6). First Five Years Fund. https://www.ffyf.org/resources/2023/05/the-first-five-things-to-know-ccdbg/

Danell. (2024, March 21). The history of kindergarten. Imagine. https://www.imaginechild.com/2021/04/the-history-of-kindergarten/#:~:text=In%201873%2C%20the%20first%20public,is%20without%20a%20kindergarten%20class.

What is NAEYC? In-Depth Guide. (n.d.). Kids’ Care Club. Retrieved August 29, 2024, from https://kidscareclub.com/what-is-naeyc/