Introduction
The preschool years—typically encompassing ages three to five—represent a critical developmental period that shapes children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical foundations for lifelong learning and well-being. Understanding how to best support young children’s development during this formative stage has been the focus of dedicated researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and advocates who have collectively transformed how societies approach early childhood education.
This article highlights 100 influential individuals whose work has significantly shaped our understanding of preschool education and the development of programs, policies, and practices that support young children’s learning and development. From pioneering theorists who established foundational frameworks for understanding early childhood development to innovative practitioners who created influential educational approaches, from policymakers who established public preschool programs to advocates who championed the importance of early education—these individuals have collectively deepened our understanding of preschool’s critical role in human development and educational systems.
Their contributions span multiple dimensions: theoretical frameworks illuminating how young children learn and develop, evidence-based approaches to early education, policy initiatives expanding access to quality programs, innovative curriculum models, teacher preparation approaches, parent engagement strategies, and assessment systems appropriate for young learners. Together, they have moved early childhood education from custodial approaches toward developmentally appropriate practices grounded in understanding of how children learn through play, relationships, and engaging experiences with their environment.
Pioneering Theorists and Researchers
1. Jean Piaget
Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget’s constructivist theory of cognitive development transformed understanding of how children think and learn. His identification of developmental stages, including the preoperational stage (ages 2-7), revealed young children’s unique ways of understanding the world through symbolic thinking, egocentrism, and intuitive reasoning. His work established that children are active constructors of knowledge rather than passive recipients—a foundational insight that continues to inform play-based, child-centered preschool approaches.
2. Lev Vygotsky
Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory emphasized how learning occurs through social interaction and cultural tools. His concept of the “zone of proximal development”—the gap between what children can do independently versus with assistance—fundamentally shaped understanding of how adults can scaffold young children’s learning. His recognition that play serves as the leading activity for preschoolers’ development continues to influence early childhood education worldwide.
3. Maria Montessori
Italian physician Maria Montessori developed an educational approach based on scientific observation of children’s natural learning tendencies. Her method—emphasizing prepared environments, self-directed activity, specialized manipulative materials, and mixed-age groupings—has influenced preschool education globally through both dedicated Montessori programs and the incorporation of her materials and principles into diverse early childhood settings.
4. Erik Erikson
Developmental psychologist Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development theory identified “initiative versus guilt” as the central crisis of the preschool years (ages 3-5). His framework highlighting how children develop a sense of purpose through planning and undertaking activities has influenced approaches that support young children’s agency and decision-making while providing appropriate guidance and boundaries.
5. John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth
Through attachment theory, psychiatrist John Bowlby and psychologist Mary Ainsworth revealed how secure emotional bonds with caregivers create the foundation for healthy development. Their work demonstrating how early relationships shape children’s internal working models of themselves and others has influenced both parenting practices and approaches to teacher-child relationships in preschool settings.
6. Urie Bronfenbrenner
Developmental psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory placed child development within nested environmental contexts from immediate settings to broader cultural systems. His framework highlighting how development is shaped by interactions between these environmental layers has influenced comprehensive approaches to early childhood education that address family, community, and policy dimensions alongside classroom practices.
7. Edward Zigler
As one of the planners of Head Start and founding director of the Yale Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy, Edward Zigler championed comprehensive approaches to early childhood development. His research and advocacy integrating health, nutrition, family support, and education established frameworks for whole-child approaches to preschool that address multiple dimensions of development and family needs.
8. Jerome Bruner
Cognitive psychologist Jerome Bruner’s research on cognitive growth and the role of language in development has profoundly influenced preschool education. His emphasis on the narrative construction of reality and the social context of learning has shaped approaches that value children’s meaning-making through stories, conversations, and collaborative exploration.
9. Howard Gardner
Through his theory of multiple intelligences, Howard Gardner expanded traditional conceptions of intelligence beyond verbal and mathematical abilities to include musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalist, and existential intelligences. His work has influenced preschool approaches that recognize and nurture diverse learning strengths and provide varied pathways for children to demonstrate understanding.
10. Barbara Bowman
As co-founder of Erikson Institute and chief officer of Chicago Public Schools’ early childhood education programs, Barbara Bowman has conducted pioneering research on early language development and cultural influences on learning. Her work bridging research and practice has shaped understanding of developmentally and culturally appropriate approaches to preschool education, particularly for children from diverse backgrounds.
11. Alison Gopnik
Developmental psychologist Alison Gopnik’s research on children’s learning and cognitive development has revealed the sophisticated ways even very young children understand the world. Her work demonstrating how children learn through “scientific thinking” and formulating theories has influenced approaches that respect children’s intellectual capabilities while providing rich opportunities for exploration and discovery.
12. Catherine Snow
Developmental psychologist Catherine Snow’s research on language acquisition and literacy development has revealed how early language experiences shape later reading success. Her work identifying the features of adult-child interactions that support vocabulary development and comprehension has influenced approaches to fostering language-rich preschool environments and dialogic reading practices.
13. Carol Copple and Sue Bredekamp
Through their leadership in developing the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s “Developmentally Appropriate Practice” guidelines, Carol Copple and Sue Bredekamp have translated research into practical frameworks that define quality in early childhood education. Their work has influenced how preschool programs balance child-initiated and teacher-guided experiences while addressing all domains of development.
14. Edward Melhuish
Developmental psychologist Edward Melhuish’s longitudinal research, particularly through the Effective Provision of Pre-School Education (EPPE) project, has documented the long-term impacts of quality preschool education. His findings demonstrating the relationships between specific program features and child outcomes have influenced both practice and policy regarding early childhood education quality.
15. Douglas Clements and Julie Sarama
Through their research on early mathematics learning, Douglas Clements and Julie Sarama have revealed young children’s surprising mathematical capabilities when provided with appropriate experiences. Their development of learning trajectories that map how mathematical understanding develops has influenced approaches to intentionally fostering mathematical thinking in playful, developmentally appropriate ways.
16. Betty Hart and Todd Risley
Researchers Betty Hart and Todd Risley’s landmark study on language exposure in early childhood revealed dramatic differences in vocabulary exposure between children from different socioeconomic backgrounds—the “30 million word gap.” Their work highlighting how these early differences affect later educational outcomes has influenced both parenting interventions and preschool approaches to language enrichment.
17. Jack Shonkoff
As director of Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child, pediatrician Jack Shonkoff has led research on how early experiences shape brain architecture. His work translating neuroscience for practitioners and policymakers, particularly regarding toxic stress and executive function development, has influenced trauma-informed approaches to early childhood education and emphasis on self-regulation skills.
18. Loris Malaguzzi
Italian educator Loris Malaguzzi developed the Reggio Emilia approach, which views children as capable co-constructors of knowledge with “a hundred languages” of expression. His innovative philosophy emphasizing project-based inquiry, documentation of learning, aesthetic environments, and community involvement has influenced preschool approaches worldwide that respect children’s creative and cognitive capacities.
19. Lillian Katz
Educational researcher Lillian Katz’s work on project-based learning and children’s social development has influenced approaches that engage preschoolers in sustained, meaningful inquiry. Her distinction between academic and intellectual goals has shaped understanding of appropriate curriculum that develops thinking skills rather than focusing narrowly on academic skills in isolation.
20. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Roberta Golinkoff
Developmental psychologists Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Roberta Golinkoff’s research on playful learning has demonstrated how guided play develops crucial cognitive, social, and emotional capacities. Their work bridging cognitive science and education practice has influenced approaches that balance playful exploration with intentional learning goals, challenging false dichotomies between play and learning.
Curriculum Developers and Program Innovators
21. David Weikart
As founder of HighScope Educational Research Foundation, David Weikart developed the HighScope Preschool Curriculum based on active participatory learning principles. His Perry Preschool Project, which demonstrated remarkable long-term outcomes including higher graduation rates and earnings and lower crime rates, provided compelling evidence for preschool’s return on investment while establishing a model emphasizing children’s active learning through planning, doing, and reviewing.
22. Bank Street College Educators
Led by figures like Lucy Sprague Mitchell, Barbara Biber, and Edna Shapiro, Bank Street College of Education developed an influential developmental-interaction approach to early childhood education. Their curriculum emphasizing social studies, open-ended materials, and integration of cognitive and emotional development has shaped progressive preschool education that values children’s natural curiosity and social relationships.
23. Bev Bos
Through her leadership at Roseville Community Preschool and numerous books and lectures, Bev Bos championed play-based, child-centered approaches emphasizing sensory experiences, outdoor exploration, and process-oriented art. Her practical wisdom about creating joyful learning environments has influenced countless early childhood educators to value authentic childhood experiences over academic acceleration.
24. Vivian Gussin Paley
Kindergarten teacher and author Vivian Gussin Paley’s innovative storytelling and story acting curriculum demonstrated how children’s narratives become powerful vehicles for literacy, social understanding, and community building. Her detailed observations of children’s play and her commitment to inclusion, captured in books like “You Can’t Say You Can’t Play,” have influenced approaches that value children’s perspectives and foster inclusive communities.
25. Caroline Pratt
As founder of City and Country School and inventor of unit blocks, Caroline Pratt created open-ended materials and environments that support children’s natural learning through play. Her block program, which allows children to recreate and understand their world through symbolic representation, has become a cornerstone of quality preschool environments worldwide.
26. Magda Gerber
Through Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE), Magda Gerber developed an approach emphasizing respectful care practices based on careful observation of children’s natural development. Her principles of uninterrupted play, freedom of movement, and treating even the youngest children as active participants rather than passive recipients have influenced preschool approaches that respect children’s competence and agency.
27. Elizabeth Jones
Early childhood educator Elizabeth Jones’s work on play-based curriculum has influenced approaches that recognize play as children’s natural mode of learning. Her books, including “The Play’s the Thing” and “Emergent Curriculum,” have provided practical guidance for creating responsive curriculum that builds on children’s interests while addressing developmental and learning goals.
28. Patty Smith Hill
Kindergarten educator Patty Smith Hill’s progressive approach to early childhood education emphasized free play, music, and large hollow blocks that allowed for big constructions. Her development of the Hill Floor Blocks and co-authorship of the “Happy Birthday” song exemplify her contributions to materials and experiences that support children’s active learning and creative expression.
29. Helen Buckley
Through her classic essay “The Little Boy,” Helen Buckley powerfully articulated how rigid educational approaches can stifle children’s creativity and love of learning. Her contrast between the little boy’s exuberant drawing and the teacher’s narrow focus on prescribed forms has influenced approaches that value children’s authentic expression over standardized products.
30. Jim Greenman
Environmental designer Jim Greenman’s work on creating effective early childhood spaces has influenced the physical design of preschool settings worldwide. His principles for developing environments that support play, independence, relationship-building, and connection to nature have shaped understanding of the physical environment as “the third teacher” in early childhood education.
31. Elizabeth Gilkerson
Through the Erikson Institute’s Fussy Baby Network, infant mental health specialist Elizabeth Gilkerson developed approaches to supporting families with challenging young children. Her work has influenced early intervention models that address social-emotional development through relationship-based approaches, recognizing that early mental health creates foundations for later success.
32. Louise Derman-Sparks
Educator Louise Derman-Sparks’s anti-bias education approach has provided frameworks for addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in early childhood settings. Her practical guidance for helping young children develop positive identities while recognizing and challenging stereotypes and prejudice has influenced how preschool programs address social justice with young children.
33. Margie Carter and Deb Curtis
Through their books, training, and consulting work, early childhood educators Margie Carter and Deb Curtis have provided practical guidance for creating engaging environments and curriculum that reflect thoughtful intentionality. Their emphasis on observation, reflection, and teacher collaboration has influenced professional development approaches that enhance program quality.
34. Judy Harris Helm
Educator Judy Harris Helm’s work on project approach implementation has provided practical frameworks for engaging preschoolers in in-depth investigations of topics that interest them. Her guidance for documentation, planning, and assessment in project work has influenced approaches that balance child-initiated inquiry with intentional teaching.
35. Lella Gandini
As U.S. liaison for the Reggio Emilia Approach, Lella Gandini has interpreted and translated this innovative Italian educational philosophy for American audiences. Her writing, presentations, and consultation have influenced the adaptation of Reggio principles in diverse U.S. preschool contexts, particularly regarding documentation, environments, and the image of the child as capable and competent.
36. Elizabeth Graue
Educational researcher Elizabeth Graue’s work on kindergarten readiness and the transition to school has influenced approaches that support continuity between preschool and kindergarten. Her critique of narrow readiness definitions has shaped more comprehensive views of school readiness that address all developmental domains and educational contexts.
37. Joseph Sparling and Isabelle Lewis
Early childhood educators Joseph Sparling and Isabelle Lewis developed the HighScope Curriculum’s “key experiences” and the LearningGames curriculum—structured activities that support development across domains. Their practical frameworks for intentional teaching have influenced approaches that balance child-initiated activity with planned learning experiences.
38. Docia Zavitkovsky
Early childhood educator Docia Zavitkovsky’s work on developmental milestones and appropriate expectations has provided practical guidance for teachers and parents. Her booklets describing typical development and suggesting supportive activities have helped countless adults understand and support young children’s natural developmental progression.
39. Diane Trister Dodge
As founder of Teaching Strategies, Diane Trister Dodge developed The Creative Curriculum, a comprehensive approach to early childhood education that balances child-initiated learning with teacher guidance. Her practical frameworks addressing environment, routines, interactions, and curriculum content have influenced program design nationwide.
40. Ellen Galinsky
Through her work at the Families and Work Institute and books like “Mind in the Making,” Ellen Galinsky has identified essential life skills that begin developing in early childhood. Her research translating developmental science for parents and educators has influenced approaches that intentionally foster executive function, perspective-taking, and other crucial cognitive and social-emotional capacities.
Policy Makers and Advocates
41. Edward Zigler
(Mentioned earlier) Beyond his research contributions, Edward Zigler’s role as a principal architect of Head Start created the United States’ most significant public investment in preschool education. His advocacy integrating comprehensive services with early education established a model that continues to serve nearly one million children annually while influencing broader conceptions of quality early childhood programs.
42. Marian Wright Edelman
As founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, attorney Marian Wright Edelman has been a tireless advocate for policies supporting vulnerable children, including expanded access to quality preschool. Her leadership connecting child poverty, early education, and social justice has influenced policy approaches that recognize preschool as both an educational and anti-poverty strategy.
43. Julius Richmond
As first director of Head Start and later U.S. Surgeon General, pediatrician Julius Richmond provided early leadership connecting health and education in comprehensive services for young children. His public health perspective influenced Head Start’s comprehensive approach addressing physical, dental, and mental health alongside educational components.
44. James Heckman
Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman’s research demonstrating the economic return on investment in quality early childhood programs has provided compelling evidence for public funding of preschool. His analyses showing that early intervention yields higher returns than later remediation have influenced policy arguments for expanding preschool access as a cost-effective public investment.
45. Walter Mondale
As a U.S. Senator, Walter Mondale sponsored the Comprehensive Child Development Act of 1971, which would have created a national network of federally funded childcare centers with sliding-scale fees. Though vetoed by President Nixon, this ambitious legislation represented a significant attempt to establish universal preschool and influenced subsequent policy discussions about public responsibility for early education.
46. Barbara Bowman
(Mentioned earlier) Beyond her research contributions, Barbara Bowman’s leadership as chief early childhood education officer for Chicago Public Schools implemented one of the nation’s largest public preschool programs. Her work translating developmental science into public education systems has influenced how school districts approach preschool as part of their educational mission.
47. Craig Ramey and Sharon Ramey
Through the Abecedarian Project, developmental psychologists Craig and Sharon Ramey conducted landmark research demonstrating the long-term benefits of high-quality early intervention beginning in infancy. Their findings showing significant and enduring effects on IQ and academic achievement have influenced policy arguments for starting educational support before the traditional preschool years.
48. Ruby Takanishi
As president of the Foundation for Child Development, Ruby Takanishi championed the PreK-3rd approach connecting preschool with early elementary grades. Her advocacy for alignment across these critical early years has influenced policy approaches that create continuity rather than treating preschool as separate from the K-12 system.
49. W. Steven Barnett
As director of the National Institute for Early Education Research, economist W. Steven Barnett has conducted influential research on preschool quality, outcomes, and policies. His annual “State of Preschool” reports tracking public investments and quality standards have provided accountability for state-funded programs while identifying policy levers that support quality.
50. David Lawrence Jr.
After a career in journalism, David Lawrence Jr. became a leading advocate for early childhood investment in Florida, spearheading the successful campaign for universal pre-kindergarten. His leadership bringing together business leaders, educators, and community advocates demonstrated effective strategies for building broad coalitions supporting public preschool.
51. Robert Pianta
Educational researcher Robert Pianta’s development of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) has provided reliable measures of teacher-child interactions that predict developmental outcomes. His research demonstrating the central importance of interaction quality has influenced accountability systems that move beyond structural features to assess the processes that most directly affect children’s experiences.
52. Betty Caldwell
Developmental psychologist Betty Caldwell’s research on early childhood environments led to the development of the widely-used HOME Inventory (Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment). Her assessment tools have influenced both research and program evaluation by providing systematic ways to measure the quality of children’s early experiences.
53. Joan Lombardi
Through multiple roles in government, including Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development in the Obama administration, Joan Lombardi has shaped federal early childhood policies. Her leadership implementing initiatives like Early Head Start expansion and the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge grants has influenced federal approaches to supporting state preschool systems.
54. Georgia Governor Zell Miller
In 1992, Georgia Governor Zell Miller established the first state-funded universal pre-kindergarten program, providing access for all four-year-olds regardless of family income. His pioneering initiative, funded through lottery proceeds, created a model for other states considering universal rather than targeted approaches to public preschool.
55. Oklahoma Early Childhood Leaders
Oklahoma legislators and educators, including state superintendent Sandy Garrett, developed the nation’s most comprehensive state-funded universal pre-kindergarten program, reaching over 70% of four-year-olds. Their system requiring bachelor’s degrees and certification for teachers while paying public school salaries established high standards for workforce quality in public preschool.
56. Rob Reiner
Actor and director Rob Reiner founded the I Am Your Child Foundation (later Parents Action for Children) and led California’s Proposition 10 campaign, which created First 5 California to fund early childhood programs through tobacco taxes. His advocacy leveraging celebrity influence to promote early brain development awareness has increased public understanding of the importance of the early years.
57. Hillary Clinton
Throughout her career, Hillary Clinton has championed early childhood issues, from her work with the Children’s Defense Fund to advocacy for expanding Early Head Start and childcare assistance as First Lady and Senator. Her consistent emphasis on early childhood as both a children’s rights and economic issue has kept preschool on the national policy agenda across multiple decades.
58. George Kaiser
Businessman and philanthropist George Kaiser has funded innovative early childhood initiatives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, including the Educare model combining high-quality preschool with comprehensive family support. His strategic philanthropic investments demonstrating what comprehensive quality looks like have influenced both local implementation and national models.
59. J.B. Pritzker
Before becoming governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker founded the Pritzker Children’s Initiative focused on expanding access to quality early learning programs. His philanthropic and later political leadership addressing both access and quality has demonstrated how public-private partnerships can advance preschool expansion.
60. Mark Shriver
As president of Save the Children Action Network, Mark Shriver has advocated for increased public investment in early childhood education. His leadership building bipartisan support for preschool funding has demonstrated effective strategies for advancing early childhood priorities in diverse political contexts.
Assessment and Evaluation Experts
61. Samuel Meisels
Early childhood assessment expert Samuel Meisels developed the Work Sampling System and other authentic assessment approaches appropriate for young children. His leadership challenging inappropriate standardized testing while creating valid alternatives has influenced how preschool programs document children’s development and learning through observation-based, curriculum-embedded assessment.
62. Deborah Stipek
Developmental psychologist Deborah Stipek’s research on motivation and academic achievement has revealed how early assessment practices affect children’s attitudes toward learning. Her work highlighting the risks of high-pressure academic environments and benefits of mastery-oriented approaches has influenced both assessment and instructional practices in early childhood settings.
63. Douglas Powell
Early childhood researcher Douglas Powell’s evaluation studies of family support programs and parent engagement strategies have identified effective approaches for involving families in children’s early learning. His research distinguishing between different types of involvement has influenced more nuanced approaches to family partnerships in preschool settings.
64. Lawrence Schweinhart
As president of HighScope Educational Research Foundation, Lawrence Schweinhart led longitudinal research on the Perry Preschool Project, providing compelling evidence of preschool’s long-term benefits into adulthood. His rigorous evaluation methodology and economic analyses have influenced both program design and policy arguments for preschool investment.
65. Donna Bryant and Richard Clifford
Early childhood researchers Donna Bryant and Richard Clifford developed the widely-used Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS), which provides a comprehensive measure of preschool program quality. Their assessment tools have influenced both quality improvement efforts and regulatory systems by providing systematic ways to evaluate and improve program environments.
66. Elena Bodrova and Deborah Leong
Educational researchers Elena Bodrova and Deborah Leong developed the Tools of the Mind curriculum based on Vygotskian principles, with particular emphasis on developing self-regulation. Their research demonstrating how specific activities can promote executive function development has influenced approaches that intentionally support these crucial skills in preschool settings.
67. Dominic Gullo
Early childhood assessment specialist Dominic Gullo’s work on appropriate evaluation practices for young children has influenced approaches that align assessment with how young children demonstrate their knowledge and skills. His emphasis on authentic, performance-based assessment has shaped alternatives to standardized testing in early childhood settings.
68. Cybele Raver
Developmental psychologist Cybele Raver’s research on self-regulation and school readiness has revealed how poverty-related stressors affect executive function development. Her studies evaluating interventions that support emotional and behavioral regulation have influenced approaches that intentionally address these skills within preschool programs serving vulnerable children.
69. Ellen Frede
Early childhood researcher Ellen Frede’s evaluation of New Jersey’s Abbott Preschool Program has documented the effectiveness of high-quality public preschool in reducing achievement gaps. Her research identifying specific quality factors that contribute to positive outcomes has influenced policy approaches to designing effective state-funded programs.
70. Beth Graue
(Mentioned earlier) Educational researcher Beth Graue’s studies of kindergarten readiness have challenged narrow definitions focused primarily on academic skills. Her work has influenced more comprehensive assessment approaches that consider multiple developmental domains and the readiness of schools to serve diverse children.
71. Marilou Hyson
Early childhood researcher Marilou Hyson’s work on emotional development and approaches to learning has expanded understanding of these crucial dimensions of school readiness. Her research and leadership at NAEYC have influenced assessment systems that address the social-emotional foundations of early learning rather than focusing exclusively on cognitive skills.
72. Rebecca Marcon
Educational researcher Rebecca Marcon’s comparative studies of different preschool models (academic, child-initiated, and “middle-of-the-road”) have documented the long-term advantages of child-initiated approaches. Her findings showing that short-term academic gains from didactic instruction often fade or reverse over time have influenced arguments for developmentally appropriate practices rather than academic acceleration.
73. Dale Farran
Early childhood researcher Dale Farran’s evaluations of Tennessee’s state-funded preschool program have raised important questions about program quality and sustaining initial gains. Her nuanced findings highlighting the complexity of scaling up effective programs have influenced more sophisticated approaches to implementation and quality assurance in public preschool systems.
74. Lynn Kagan
Early childhood policy expert Lynn Kagan’s research on governance and systems integration has illuminated how fragmented policies affect program quality and access. Her frameworks for aligning standards, assessment, professional development, and funding streams have influenced more coherent system-building approaches at state and federal levels.
75. Charles Greenwood
Educational researcher Charles Greenwood’s development of the Juniper Gardens Children’s Project and tools like the Class-wide Peer Tutoring program have provided evidence-based approaches for inclusive early childhood education. His evaluation methodologies have influenced how programs assess and support children with diverse abilities and needs.
76. Lisbeth Schorr
Through the Center for the Study of Social Policy, Lisbeth Schorr has documented “what works” in programs serving vulnerable children and families. Her analysis identifying common elements of effective interventions has influenced both program design and evaluation approaches that look beyond narrow outcomes to consider comprehensive impacts on children and families.
77. Christopher Brown
Educational researcher Christopher Brown’s studies of the “pushing down” of academic content into preschool have documented tensions between developmental approaches and accountability pressures. His work has influenced critical conversations about appropriate assessment and curriculum in public preschool programs operating within K-12 systems.
78. Louisa Tarullo
As researcher for the Head Start FACES (Family and Child Experiences Survey) study, Louisa Tarullo has led comprehensive evaluations of Head Start program quality and outcomes. Her methodologies for large-scale program assessment have influenced approaches to monitoring and improving federally funded early childhood programs.
79. Margaret Burchinal
Statistician Margaret Burchinal’s methodologically rigorous studies of early care and education have identified thresholds of quality associated with improved outcomes. Her research quantifying the relationship between specific quality indicators and developmental gains has influenced both policy approaches and program improvement efforts focused on factors that matter most.
80. Jason Downer
Educational researcher Jason Downer’s work with the CLASS assessment system has identified patterns of teacher-child interactions that support development across domains. His research connecting specific interaction dimensions with different developmental outcomes has influenced professional development approaches that target the most impactful teaching behaviors.
Teacher Educators and Professional Development Leaders
81. Sue Bredekamp
(Mentioned earlier with Carol Copple) Beyond her work on developmentally appropriate practice guidelines, Sue Bredekamp’s leadership at NAEYC and contributions to professional preparation standards have shaped how early childhood educators are trained. Her integration of research and practice has influenced credential systems, degree programs, and ongoing professional development approaches.
82. Stacie Goffin
Early childhood leadership expert Stacie Goffin’s work on professionalizing the field has challenged the sector to develop more coherent professional structures and standards. Her books and advocacy addressing the early childhood workforce have influenced efforts to elevate the status, preparation, and compensation of preschool teachers.
83. Rebecca New
Early childhood educator Rebecca New’s research on cross-cultural perspectives has expanded understanding of diverse approaches to early education, particularly through her studies of Italian preschools. Her work has influenced more culturally sensitive approaches to teacher preparation that recognize multiple pathways to supporting young children’s development.
84. Marcy Whitebook
Through the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, researcher Marcy Whitebook has documented the working conditions and economic challenges facing the early childhood workforce. Her advocacy connecting teacher wellbeing with program quality has influenced policy approaches that address compensation and professional support alongside quality standards.
85. Sharon Lynn Kagan
Early childhood policy expert Sharon Lynn Kagan’s research on the early childhood workforce has identified systemic barriers to professionalizing the field. Her frameworks addressing preparation, compensation, working conditions, and professional development have influenced comprehensive approaches to workforce development in diverse state systems.
86. Frances O’Connell Rust
Teacher educator Frances O’Connell Rust’s work on teacher research has provided frameworks for reflective practice in early childhood education. Her approaches helping teachers systematically study their own classrooms have influenced professional development models that empower educators as knowledge creators rather than just knowledge consumers.
87. Stephanie Feeney
Early childhood ethicist Stephanie Feeney’s development of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct has provided guidance for resolving challenging dilemmas in work with young children. Her frameworks for ethical decision-making have influenced how teachers approach complex situations involving competing responsibilities to children, families, colleagues, and communities.
88. Celia Genishi
Early childhood researcher Celia Genishi’s work on language development and assessment has illuminated how teachers can support diverse learners, particularly dual language learners. Her research using qualitative methods to understand classroom dynamics has influenced teacher education approaches that develop observational skills and cultural responsiveness.
89. Gillian McNamee
Teacher educator Gillian McNamee’s work at Erikson Institute has advanced approaches to supporting language and literacy development through meaningful conversations and storytelling. Her guidance for teachers on engaging children in rich discourse has influenced classroom practices that build language through authentic communication rather than isolated skill instruction.
90. T. Berry Brazelton
Pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton’s Touchpoints approach has provided frameworks for professionals working with families during critical developmental transitions, including the preschool years. His emphasis on building relationships with parents as partners has influenced how early childhood educators engage families through strengths-based approaches.
91. Lily Wong Fillmore
Linguist Lily Wong Fillmore’s research on second language acquisition has provided crucial insights for supporting dual language learners in preschool settings. Her work highlighting the complex interactions between first and second language development has influenced more nuanced approaches that support home language maintenance while developing English proficiency.
92. Betty Jones
Early childhood educator Betty Jones’s work on play and conflict resolution has provided practical guidance for supporting children’s social development. Her books, including “The Play’s the Thing” (with Elizabeth Jones) and “I Am a Little Rabbit: Supporting Children in Resolving Conflicts,” have influenced teacher preparation regarding play facilitation and guidance strategies.
93. William Mosier
Child psychologist William Mosier’s research on challenging behaviors has provided practical frameworks for positive guidance in preschool settings. His approaches emphasizing prevention, skill-building, and respectful intervention have influenced teacher preparation regarding one of the most challenging aspects of early childhood education.
94. Louise Derman-Sparks
(Mentioned earlier) Beyond her curriculum development, Louise Derman-Sparks’s teacher education work has provided frameworks for preparing educators to implement anti-bias approaches. Her professional development models addressing teachers’ own cultural identities and biases have influenced approaches to developing culturally responsive early childhood educators.
95. Janice Filer
Early childhood educator Janice Filer’s work with the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential has created accessible pathways to professional preparation for diverse early childhood educators. Her leadership developing competency-based assessment of teaching practice has influenced credentialing approaches that recognize demonstrated skills alongside formal education.
96. Nancy Carlsson-Paige
Early childhood educator Nancy Carlsson-Paige’s work on violence prevention and media impact has provided guidance for supporting healthy social-emotional development in a complex world. Her approaches helping teachers address challenging topics like war play and media violence have influenced how preschool programs navigate these issues while supporting children’s processing of difficult realities.
97. Dan Gartrell
Early childhood educator Dan Gartrell’s work on guidance and classroom management has provided frameworks for relationship-based approaches rather than reward-and-punishment systems. His concept of “guidance teaching” has influenced how teachers address challenging behaviors while building children’s internal controls and social problem-solving skills.
98. Karen Nemeth
Early childhood language specialist Karen Nemeth’s work supporting dual language learners has provided practical strategies for creating inclusive multilingual environments. Her guidance for teachers working with linguistically diverse children and families has influenced classroom practices that maintain home language while developing English.
99. Francis Wardle
Early childhood educator Francis Wardle’s work on diversity has provided frameworks for supporting children with multiracial and multiethnic identities. His guidance for creating inclusive environments that affirm complex cultural identities has influenced more nuanced approaches to diversity in preschool settings.
100. Maurice Sykes
Early childhood leader Maurice Sykes’s work on leadership development has strengthened administrative capacity in early childhood programs. His approaches empowering directors and principals to create vision-driven, child-centered programs have influenced how leadership preparation addresses the unique contexts of early childhood education.
Conclusion
The individuals highlighted in this list have collectively transformed early childhood education from custodial approaches focused primarily on care toward developmentally appropriate practices grounded in scientific understanding of how young children learn and develop. Their diverse contributions across research, practice, policy, assessment, and professional development illustrate the multifaceted nature of quality preschool education.
From Jean Piaget’s foundational theories of cognitive development to Jack Shonkoff’s translation of neuroscience research, from Maria Montessori’s innovative educational approach to Vivian Paley’s storytelling curriculum, from Edward Zigler’s comprehensive vision for Head Start to James Heckman’s economic analyses of preschool’s return on investment—these influential figures have progressively deepened our understanding of the critical importance of the preschool years and how best to support young children’s development during this formative period.
Despite their diverse perspectives and sometimes competing emphases, these influential figures converge around certain principles: the importance of play as the primary vehicle for young children’s learning, the critical role of relationships in creating effective learning environments, the value of child-centered approaches that follow children’s interests and developmental trajectories, the benefit of addressing the whole child across developmental domains rather than focusing narrowly on academic skills, and the recognition that family engagement is essential for supporting young children’s development.
As societies worldwide increasingly recognize the critical importance of early childhood education for both individual flourishing and broader social wellbeing, the insights of these influential figures provide both theoretical frameworks and practical approaches for creating high-quality preschool experiences. Their collective work reminds us that effective early education requires deep understanding of child development, intentional design of engaging learning environments, well-prepared and supported teachers, appropriate assessment approaches, and policies that ensure both quality and access.
By integrating insights about how young children learn, what environments best support their development, how teachers can effectively facilitate their growth, and how systems can ensure quality at scale, these influential figures have created a rich, multidimensional understanding of preschool education that continues to evolve through ongoing research, practice, and advocacy. Their legacy lives on in classrooms where young children engage in joyful, meaningful learning that establishes foundations for lifelong development and educational success.
