This rich resource includes: citations forming a decade-by-decade history, beginning with the opening of kindergartens in this country and continuing to the present day; a cultural focus with many previously hidden sources; the history of technology in early education; the history of early childhood professional education; and the diversity of ways the history of early childhood education is depicted in teacher education textbooks.

The history of early childhood education in the United States (US) is multifaceted. This bibliographical account of early childhood education and programs offers a glimpse into the range of approaches taken in the US to provide young children access to learning environments and services. The resources provided demonstrate the emergence of a diverse system unique to the US, in which education is a function of individual states rather than the federal government. Therefore, early childhood education is overseen by a variety of different entities, stemming from several distinctive philosophies, leading to a multiplicity of theoretical foundations, standards, regulations, curricula, and practices. Early childhood educators and scholars may use this bibliography to gain a deeper understanding of early childhood practice in a contemporary learning environment by exploring the roots of the ideas that inform teaching and learning in early childhood. By engaging with this historical account of early childhood education and programming, readers may become more familiar with the network of ideas that informs their own philosophy of teaching young children. The topics are designed to highlight the histories of the cultures served by early childhood education and the impetus for focused attention on young children in specific eras.

EDITOR:

Dr. Blythe Farb Hinitz, Distinguished Professor Emeritus

Elementary and Early Childhood Education

The College of New Jersey

Blythe Farb Hinitz, Ed.D. (Temple University) is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Elementary and Early Childhood Education at The College of New Jersey, where she taught graduate and undergraduate courses in social studies, administration and supervision, early childhood education, and creative arts. She mentored undergraduate researchers and was President of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi chapter. She is a member of the Honorary Eleanor Roosevelt chapter of Kappa Delta Pi and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York (CUNY). An Exchange Exceptional Master Leader, and a peace educator, Dr, Hinitz is the editor of Impeding Bullying Among Young Children in International Group Contexts (2018) and The Hidden History of Early Childhood Education (2013), co-author of History of Early Childhood Education (2011), co-author of “History of Early Childhood Teacher Education” in the Handbook of Early Childhood Teacher Education, and author of numerous book chapters and journal articles. She was one of the convenors of the History Seminar of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) USA. An internationally recognized scholar, she has presented her research at universities and conferences worldwide.

CO-EDITOR:
Dr. Betty Liebovich, Senior Lecturer
Goldsmiths University of London
Educational Studies

Betty Liebovich is an early childhood education specialist and coordinator of early years study in the Educational Studies department at Goldsmiths University of London. She received her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction—Early Childhood from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Wisconsin—Madison and a Master’s degree from University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point. Betty has taught children of various age groups in Wisconsin and Illinois. She has presented her scholarly work worldwide and has multiple publications in the areas of early childhood education, early childhood teacher education, the history of early childhood education and Margaret McMillan and the open-air nursery. She is the co-author of “History of Early Childhood Teacher Education” in the Handbook of Early Childhood Teacher Education and was a member of the History Seminar of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) USA.

CONTRIBUTORS

Ana I. Berdecia, M.Ed./Certified Coach, Director
Kean University
Center for the Positive Development of Urban Children at the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research

Ana I. Berdecia, M.Ed./Certified Coach is the Director of the Center for the Positive Development of Urban Children at the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University. Ana has written extensively on the topic of culturally responsive practices and has created a learning institute and mentoring program for teachers and school leaders on the topic of courageous conversations about race and English language learners. She served as an adjunct professor at Mercer County Community College, where she taught early childhood courses. Ana also directed a bilingual/multicultural child development center in the City of Trenton, New Jersey. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from The College of New Jersey.

Dr. Sue Bredekamp, Early Childhood Education Specialist

Sue Bredekamp is an early childhood education specialist and consultant on curriculum, teaching, and professional development. She developed the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s accreditation system for early learning programs. She edited NAEYC’s three editions of Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age Eight. Sue is author of Effective Practices in Early Childhood Education: Building a Foundation (5th ed.). Sue was a member of the National Research Council’s Committee on Early Childhood Mathematics and co-chaired the National Academy of Sciences’ Committee on a New Vision for High Quality Prekindergarten Curriculum. She holds a Doctorate from the University of Maryland.

Dr. Chip Donohue, Senior Fellow
Fred Rogers Institute

 Chip Donohue is Founding Director of the Technology in Early Childhood Center at Erikson Institute. As a Fred Rogers Institute Senior Fellow, he co-authored the 2012 NAEYC Joint Position Statement on Technology and Interactive Media as Tools in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8. He is the editor of: Exploring Key Issues in Early Childhood and Technology: Evolving Perspectives and Innovative Approaches (2019); Family Engagement in the Digital Age: Early Childhood Educators as Media Mentors (2017); and Technology and Digital Media in the Early Years: Tools for Teaching and Learning (2015).

Dr. Jessica N. Essary, Associate Professor, Inclusive Education 

Cazenovia College 

Dr. Jessica Essary is the program Director of Inclusive Education at Cazenovia College. She is an editorial board member of the Journal of Formative Design in Learning and a reviewer for seventeen reputable education journals. She received her PhD from University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (SUNY), conducted dissertation research in Tanzania, and spent half a decade working in Dubai. An international expert of teacher preparation, Jess is a United Nations NGO Representative for the World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP). As Chair of the History Committee, she was an executive board member of the Association for Childhood Education International.

Dr. Harlene Galen
The College of New Jersey
Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education

Harlene Lichter Galen holds an Ed. D. in Early Childhood Education, Temple University; M. A. in Elementary/Early Childhood Education, The College of New Jersey (TCNJ); B. S. in Elementary Education, University of Pittsburgh. She’s taught every grade pre-k-8, undergraduate and graduate courses at Camden County Community College (NJ), TCNJ, and Holy Family College (PA). She is the original Director/Head Teacher, Temple Emanuel Nursery School, Willingboro, NJ; Curriculum Coordinator, Hainesport, NJ; Principal and Child Study Team Director, Jacques School and Principal, Magowan School, Edgewater Park, NJ. She is co-author of The Child Development Associate National Program: The Early Years and Pioneers.

Dr. Miranda Lin, Professor of Early Childhood Education
Illinois State University
School of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education

Miranda is a professor of early childhood education in the School of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education of Illinois State University. She received her Ph. D. in Early Childhood Education from Florida State University. Miranda has taught children of various age groups in Florida, Taiwan, and China. She has presented her scholarly work worldwide and has more than 30 publications in the area of early childhood education, service-learning, anti-bias education, and global education. Miranda is also the co-editor of "Critical Issues in Early Childhood Teacher Education," Volume 1(US perspectives) and Volume 2 (international perspectives). In addition, she was the PI of the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity® ECE credential competency project (2020 & 2021). 

Judith McConnell Mikkelson, Ed.D., Emeritus Professor of Education
Washburn University

Judith McConnell Mikkelson, Ed.D. is an Emeritus Professor of Education at Washburn University and the Facilitator of 52, 4-day International Round Table Symposiums at Oxford University, England. As People to People International faculty, she led educators twice to China, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Russia. She is the Past President of USA Organisation Mondiale pour L’Education Prescolaire and co-editor of the book, Teacher Renewal: Professional Issues and Personal Choices. She is editor of the books, The Education of Young Children: Research and Public Policy; Adventures, Fantasy and Dreams in Children’s Literature; and the World of Children: Perceptions, Connections and Sustainability during the Pandemic. She was a member of the History Seminar of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) USA.

Susan Anderson Miller, Ed.D., Professor Emerita, Writer
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

A writer and educator, Dr. Miller has authored or consulted on over 450 publications, including six columns in journals and magazines as well as authored over 30 books for young children, parents and teachers. At Syracuse University, she earned a BS in family relations/child development and MA in elementary education. In 1984, she was awarded an EdD in early childhood education from Nova Southeastern University. She taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Kutztown University, where she also coordinated the England Study Abroad program. Prior, she was the director of Reading, PA Title IVA child care, a master laboratory school teacher, and a professor at The State University of New York (SUNY) Potsdam. She served on the executive or advisory boards of the World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP), Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), National Organization of Child Development Laboratory Schools (NOCDLS) and Scholastic Publications. She was a member of the History Seminar of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) USA.

Dr. Donna Akilah M. Wright, Associate Professor and Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator, City University of New York: Medgar Evers College
Department of Developmental and Special Education

Donna Akilah M. Wright is a teacher and researcher. She is licensed to teach Nursery through Secondary English Education and Basic Adult Literacy. She is an Associate Professor for the Department of Developmental and Special Education at City University of New York: Medgar Evers College and serves as the Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator. Dr. Wright has worked as an International Consultant and researcher on Response to Intervention initiatives at the early childhood, elementary, secondary, and adult education levels. She was the co-director of an early childhood center for 21 years and has several publications.

Yaxin (Grace) Xing, Doctoral Candidate; Early Childhood Research Center teacher
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (SUNY)
Curriculum, Instruction and the Science of Learning (CISL)

Yaxin (Grace) Xing is a Year-2 Curriculum, Instruction and the Science of Learning (CISL) student working toward her Ph.D. at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (SUNY). She is a preschool teacher at the Early Childhood Research Center (ECRC). As a preschool teacher, Grace is particularly interested in supporting young children’s development through play and embodied teaching. Her research interests center on intergenerational learning and developing computational thinking in young children.