Johann Pestalozzi

“The Father of Elementary Education”

BACKGROUND
INFORMATION…
BACKGROUND INFO. CONTINUED…

Pestalozzi entered and completed most of his

studies at the University of Zurich
Began as a student for the Ministry, but his shyness
led him away from theology into law
 “HOW GERTRUDE TEACHES HER
CHILDREN”
 A book written by Pestalozzi
 Describes his philosophy:
- stated that teachers must study child
development
- learning proceeds through stages, with children
needing to master skills and knowledge before
moving to the next stage
- promoted the “whole child” point of view- that
children’s physical, emotional, social, moral
and intellectual development are integrated
and united
- called these the “the hand, heart and head”
 OTHER IMPORTANT IDEAS OF
PESTALOZZI…
 Believed that all children- including the ones
who lived in poverty- could benefit from
education
 Children need to discover ideas for themselves
through their own activity
 Rejected punishment as a motivator and felt that
instead children are motivated to learn by their
interests
 Viewed development as a natural unfolding or
blossoming fro within, with teachers acting as
gardeners who nurture the process rather than
direct it