On Some Famous Trends in Preschool Education

(1) Probably the most famous name in the history of preschool education is Maria Montessori. She began her studies of educational problems while working at the Orthophrenic School in Rome, Italy, in 1899. In 1907 she opened her Casa dei Bambini (Children’s House). Within a few years her methods had become world famous, and Montessori schools were started in many countries. According to the Montessori theory children go through a series of phases during which they are particularly ready to learn certain skills such as reading and arithmetic. If these early periods are missed in the schooling process, later difficulties in learning may result. Therefore, she believed, all children should be given a measure of freedom to work at their own pace, without the tension that results from being in competition with others. The amount of freedom allowed was not absolute, however, for she believed that all freedom must be combined with self-discipline and a respect for authority.

(2) Group training of children below kindergarten age gained impetus in England shortly before World War I, under the guidance of Margaret and Rachel McMillan. They established nursery schools in the slum districts of London to help improve the physical and mental condition of children living in these poorer areas. The aim of the nursery schools was to make up for any neglect of the children at home and to provide early schooling and care.

(3) The 20th century has also been a time of experiments in “collective upbringing” in several societies. Early in the century, when Jewish settlers were arriving in Palestine, they established communes called kibbutzim. The early kibbutzim freed parents for work by caring for their children. All children from birth to 1 year lived in an infant house and were cared for by one or two kibbutz members. Later, they resided in a toddler house until they were 4 years old. In many modern kibbutzim children live with their parents until school age but spend their days with the other kibbutz children.

(4) Kindergartens were introduced into the United States by German immigrants. The first kindergarten was opened in Watertown, Wisconsin, in 1856 by Margaret Schurz, wife of the German-born reformer and politician Carl Schurz. One of the first distinctly American kindergartens was started in Boston by Elizabeth Peabody in 1860. In 1873 St. Louis became the first city to make kindergartens part of the public school system.

(Britannica Student Encyclopedia Library)

Определите, является ли утверждение:

The foundation of Montessori theory was the necessity to go through several stages of learning at different time, so it can help good progress.

a) истинным

b) ложным

c) в тексте нет информации

28. Определите, является ли утверждение:

Margaret and Rachel McMillan developed the famous method of Maria Montessori.

a) истинным

b) ложным

c) в тексте нет информации

29. Определите, является ли утверждение:

The method of Maria Montessori appeared in 1899 and soon gained the world popularity.

a) истинным

b) ложным

c) в тексте нет информации

30. Определите, является ли утверждение:

In modern kibbutzim kids live with their mothers only and attend infant school.

a) истинным

b) ложным

c) в тексте нет информации

31. Укажите, какой части текста (1, 2, 3, 4) соответствует следующая информация:

The variety of society types caused the appearance of different models of upbringing in the collective.

a) 3

b) 1

c) 4

d) 2

32. Укажите, какой части текста (1, 2, 3, 4) соответствует следующая информация:

Kindergartens became the essential part of American educational system in the 19^th century.

a) 3

b) 1

c) 4

d) 2

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