1.2 European Influences on Early American Education

Early American education was deeply influenced by European ideas. The Enlightenment shaped beliefs about reason and individualism, while thinkers like Locke and Rousseau promoted child-centered learning. These concepts laid the groundwork for American views on education's role in democracy and social progress.

European educational models also impacted early American schools. Classical and grammar schools prepared elite boys for university, while dame schools and apprenticeships provided alternatives. The curriculum evolved from a focus on religious literacy to include more secular subjects, reflecting broader societal changes in the colonies.

Philosophical Influences

Enlightenment Thinkers and Their Impact

Top images from around the web for Enlightenment Thinkers and Their Impact

• 

  File:John Locke by Michael Dahl.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Jean-Jacques Rousseau - Education Wiki View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:John Locke by Michael Dahl.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Jean-Jacques Rousseau - Education Wiki View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

Top images from around the web for Enlightenment Thinkers and Their Impact

• 

  File:John Locke by Michael Dahl.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Jean-Jacques Rousseau - Education Wiki View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:John Locke by Michael Dahl.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Jean-Jacques Rousseau - Education Wiki View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

• Enlightenment movement emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional institutions
• John Locke developed the concept of tabula rasa proposed children's minds start as blank slates
  • Believed education shapes individuals through experience and sensory perception
  • Advocated for tailored education based on individual abilities and interests
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau promoted child-centered education focused on natural development
  • Emphasized learning through direct experience with nature and society
  • Introduced stages of child development influencing modern educational psychology
• Enlightenment ideas led to increased focus on secular education and scientific inquiry
• Influenced American Founding Fathers' views on education's role in democracy

Impact on American Educational Philosophy

• Enlightenment principles shaped American belief in education as a tool for social progress
• Promoted idea of education as essential for creating informed citizens in a democracy
• Led to push for more widespread access to education beyond elite classes
• Influenced development of public education system in early United States
• Encouraged critical thinking and questioning of authority in educational settings

Educational Institutions

Classical and Grammar School Models

• Classical education model emphasized study of ancient Greek and Roman texts
  • Focused on developing rhetorical skills and moral character
  • Curriculum included trivium (grammar, logic, rhetoric) and quadrivium (arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, music)
• Latin grammar schools prepared boys for university education
  • Curriculum centered on Latin language and literature
  • Taught classical subjects like history, mathematics, and natural philosophy
• Both models primarily served upper-class male students
• Influenced development of early American secondary schools and colleges

Alternative Educational Institutions

• Dame schools provided elementary education in private homes
  • Usually run by women for young children of both genders
  • Taught basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills
  • Often incorporated religious instruction and practical skills
• Apprenticeship system provided vocational training for trades and crafts
  • Young people learned skills directly from experienced craftsmen
  • Combined practical work experience with some academic instruction
  • Served as primary form of education for many working-class youth
• These institutions filled gaps in formal education system
  • Provided educational opportunities for wider range of social classes
  • Addressed practical needs for basic literacy and vocational skills

Curriculum Focus

Literacy and Religious Instruction

• Literacy emphasis reflected Protestant belief in individual Bible reading
  • Reading instruction often centered on religious texts (Bible, catechisms)
  • Writing and basic arithmetic also taught to support practical life skills
• Religious instruction formed core of early American curriculum
  • Aimed to instill moral values and Christian doctrine
  • Included memorization of scripture and religious texts
  • Often integrated into other subjects like history and literature

Evolving Curriculum Content

• Gradual shift towards more secular content in late colonial period
  • Introduction of subjects like geography, history, and natural philosophy
• Increased emphasis on practical skills for commerce and civic participation
  • Expanded arithmetic instruction to include bookkeeping and surveying
• Growing influence of Enlightenment ideas led to more scientific content
  • Introduction of basic scientific principles and experimentation
• Debates emerged over appropriate balance of religious and secular education
  • Reflected broader societal changes and religious diversity in colonies