Contributors to Early Childhood Education

Public Early Childhood Sector: 

Jean Marc Gaspard Itard- He is considered to be the "father of special education" (Sectors of Early Childhood media file) 

He is known for his research and development with the "Wild Child," also known as Victor of Aveyron. Itard was born in the 18th century (Constant J. 2014). Many studies and research on children with developmental differences were not practiced or studied yet. In the case of Victor, many saw him as a child who could not be taught to fit in with society because he grew up in the wild and was not equipped with the skills and cues to interact with other people. Itard did not agree with others he believed that Victor could be taught. Itard "kept hoping (an illusion that opened the doors of posterity?) He argued that the idiocy of Victor was the result of human contact deprivation" (Constant J. 2014). If it wasn't for this historian we may not have the researches and child psychologist of today giving children with special needs the fighting chance and skills needed to be an active and successful member in society. 

Research and Academia Sector:

Ann Turnbull, Ed. D. - She is a professor of Special Education at the University of Kansas. She leads the path in enhancing the education and “quality of life for persons with intellectual disabilities” (Sectors of Early Childhood Field). 

A quote from her in an article that was written after the death of her son that I found very inspiring and intriguing is, “My father used to say, ‘It takes an awful lot of knowledge to make a little bit of wisdom.’ I have many sources of knowledge but very few sources of wisdom,” (Roddy 2009).

The reason I admire this quote is that many people believe that wisdom and knowledge are the same things. One can argue you need to have knowledge to be wise. That may be true that a wise person knows many facts however a wise person also knows their environment when to do various things or say certain things in different situations. I've heard the saying that a person has a lot of book smarts but not many street smarts. A wise person has the ability to do both. In terms of the field of working in childcare, you have to have both knowledge and wisdom. With wisdom comes experience. A teacher or administrator has to know their facts about child development and know what words and tone to use while speaking to their students and families. 

References

Constant J. Groupe Hospitalier de Chartres. (2014). Jean Marc Gaspard Itard (1774–1838) Neuropsychiatrie de l'Enfance et de l'Adolescence, Vol 62(2), Mar, 2014. pp. 128-130.

Roddy. Eileen. Aug 18, 2009. Son’s death reinforces couple’s commitment to research. LJWorld.com. Lawrence Journal-World. https://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/aug/18/sons-death-reinforces-couples-commitment-research/

Sectors of the Early Childhood Field. Required Media. https://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6005/04/mm/Sectors/Main.html