American Followers of Pestalozzi

Pestalozzi had an educational philosophy of self-learning and free investigation.

Educators who developed their own systems of education based on Pestalozzi's ideas used many different methods, most 19th century schools in the United States stressed external control and were authoritarian in their approach. In the middle of the 19th century, Friedrich Froebel's concept of the kindergarten, which incorporated ideas of Pestalozzi, was introduced into the United States and Elizabeth Peabody adapted it into a teacher-directed system stressing external control. In contrast to Peabody and her followers, other educators brought to the American kindergarten movement a more authentic form of Pestalozzi's ideas that stressed internal control. Music education, primarily vocal, remained most common in women's schools, though many private academies also existed, offering boys and girls instruction in orchestral instruments like the violin, cello and piano.
(Pestalozzi,1992)

Joseph H. Naef, a member of Pestalozzi’s staff, started an elementary school in 1809 modeling Pestalozzi’s method giving every student a proper music education.
(Abeles, 1995)

Many guidelines inspired by Pestalozzi are still used today. Children are taught to read music at a young age, they are exposed to a hands on learning approac, and are encouraged to experiment with different instruments.

Abeles, H. F.; Hoffer, C. R.; Klotman R. H. (1995). Foundations of Music Education. Belmont, California: Thomson Schirmer.

N.A. (1992). Pestalozzi: “Foster Father of Early Childhood Education”. Retrieved online
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