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Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi and Education from a Biblical Worldview
Christina Clay
Department of Education, Liberty University
EDUC 604: Foundations of Education
Dr. Sarah Hutter
June 13,2021
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Abstract
One of the challenges in today’s education is how to educate children through a world view
or biblical view. Biblical world view education can benefit children through the teachings
of Jesus Christ. World view education can taint little minds without allowing them to
search for answers themselves. Johann Heindrich Pestalozzi is said to be one of the
founding fathers of education. Pestalozzi is most known for his gracious heart for children
in poverty and teaching through love and compassion, just as he was an outcast throughout
most of his life. As Jesus taught during his time, he was most seen with thieves, prostitutes,
liars, sinners. Jesus showed us through his ministry how he loved all people but had a
special place in his heart for sinners, just as Pestazzoli had a special place in his heart for
orphans, children in poverty and children with special needs. Throughout Pestalozzi’s life
he failed more often then he succeeded however his foundation of education through love
and compassion was inspired by many others in the years to come such as Fredrich Frobel,
Maria Montessori and many others.
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There are many teaching methodologies that educators can use to effectively teach students.
Depending on the students you serve the methods of teaching may differ to what method is most
beneficial for your classroom. In my time as a special education teacher in a contained classroom
at a nonpublic school, I have experienced that building an appropriate relationship with your
students is often the key to their success in your classroom. Most of the students we serve at the
school I am employed with come from poor family dynamics, low-income, and low-level
education throughout their family. When researching Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, he also served
this same community, mostly serving the low -income or poverty families. Pestalozzi focused on
children being able to control their own pathway to education he emphasized the importance of
community, play and self-regulation (Sellars 2020). In researching Pestalozzi’s method of
teaching it reminded me of not only my preferred method of teaching but also of Jesus’ teachings
