Psychodynamic Theory in Early Childhood Education: A Look at the Contributions of Anna Freud, Melanie Klein, Krik H. Erikson, Susan Isaacs, Bruno Bettelheim, E.C.M. Frijling-Schreuder and Margaret Ribble
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15362/ijbs.v5i0.89Abstract
In this paper I will examine the implications of psychodynamic theory for teaching and learning in early childhood education. The indivudual pioneering efforts of Anna Freud and Melanie Klein in understanding childhood neurosis and in developing child analysis and "play therapy" will be described and compared. Anna Freud's strong early convictions of the need for a psychoanalytic pedagogy and later disillusionment will be discussed. Basic psychoanalytic terms such as "the unconscious", "Id, Ego, Superego", "transference" etc. will be broadly defined to illuminate early psychoanalytic theory. A psychohistorical perspective on initial attempts to create a psychoanalytic pedagogy in Europe will be synthesized and current pre-school developmental programs in North America described, programs which draw from psychodynamic theory. The theories of Eric H. Erikson, Susan Isaacs, Bruno Bettelheim, E.C.M. Frijling-Schreuder and Margaret Ribble will be presented. In conclusion, some criticisms of the psychodynamic theories' impact on education will be aired.References
Axline, V. M. (1950). Play therapy experiences as described by child participants. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 14(1), 53–63. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0056179
Bettelheim, B. (1969). The children of the dream. Avon.
Bettelheim, B. (1977). The uses of enchantment: The meaning and importance of fairy tales. Alfred Knopf.
Bettelheim, B., & Zelan, K. (1981). On Learning to read. Alfred A. Knopf.
Biber, B., Shapiro, E. K., & Wickens, D. (1971). Promoting cognitive growth: A developmental-interaction point of view. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Coles, R. (1970). Erik H. Erikson: The growth of his work. Little, Brown & Co.
Cowles, M. (1971). Four views of learning and development. Educational Leadership, 28(8), 790-795. http://people.uncw.edu/caropresoe/EDN500/EDN500Spr011/Cowles71-4Views.pdf
Day, M. C. (1977). A comparative analysis of center-based preschool programs. In M. C. Day & R. K. Parker, The pre-school in action: Exploring early childhood programs (2nd ed.). Allyn & Bacon.
DeVries, R. (1974). Theory in educational practice. In R. Colvin & E. Zaffiro, Preschool education: A handbook for the training of early childhood educators (pp. 3-41). Springer.
Erikson, E. H. (1950). Childhood and society. W. W. Norton.
Erickson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and crisis. Norton.
Finkelstein. B. (1979). Regulated children, liberated children: Education in psycho-historical perspective. Psycho-history Press.
Freud, A. (1964). The psychoanalytic treatment of children. Schocken.
Freud, A. (1965). Normality and pathology in childhood: Assessments of development. International Universities Press.
Freud, S. (1925). An autobiographical study. In J. Strachey, A. Freud, & C. L. Rothgeb, The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud. (pp. 69). Hogarth.
Freud, S., & Strachey, J. (1962). Three essays on the theory of sexualties. Hogarth Press.
Frijling-Schreuder, E. C. M. (1975). Children, what are they? International Universities Press.
Frost, J. L., & Kissinger, J. B. (1976). The young child and the educative process. Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Hamachek, D. (1997). Psychology in teaching, learning, and growth. Allyn and Bacon.
Ipp, H., & Kolers, N. (1983). Melanie Klein and Anna Freud: Contributions to child analysis. Journal of the Melanie Klein Society and Object Relations, 1(1), 20-37.
Isaacs, S. (1968). The nursery years. Schocken Books.
Isaacs, S. (1968). Intellectual growth in young children: Schocken Books.
Isaacs, S. (1972). Social development in young children. Schocken Books.
Kaplan-Sanoff, M., & Magid, R. Y. (1981). Exploring early childhood: Theory and practice. Macmillan.
Klein, M. (1960). The psychoanalysis of children. Hogarth Press.
Kris, E. (1948). On psychoanalysis and education. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 18(4), 622–635. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-0025.1948.tb05124.x
Lederer, W. (1964). Dragons, delinquents and destiny. Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Moustakas, C. (1953). Children in play therapy. Ballantine Books.
Platt, G. M., & Weinstein, F. (1969). The wish to be free: Society, psyche and value change. University of California Press.
Ribble, M. A. (1943). The rights of infants: Early psychological needs and their satisfaction. Columbia University Press.
Roazen, P. (1976). Erik H. Erickson: The power and limits of a vision. The Free Press.
Ryckman, R. M. (1982). Theories of personality. Brooks/Cole.
Segal, H. (1964). Introduction to the work of Melanie Klein. Basic Books.
Segal, H. (1979). Melanie Klein. Penguin Books.
Zachry, C. B. (1941). The influence of psychoanalysis in education. The Psychoanalytic Quarterly, 10(3), 431-444. https://doi.org/10.1080/21674086.1941.11925468
