"The Infant System For Developing the Intellectual of all Children," by Samuel Wilderspin. Samuel Wilderspin was an English educator known for his pioneering work on infant schools (1791-1866).

The Infant System' is a popular educational treatise written by Samuel Wilderspin in the early 19th century. With a concise and informative approach, Wilderspin introduces an innovative method for early childhood education, focusing on the crucial years of infancy. In this influential work, Wilderspin emphasizes the significance of creating a nurturing and stimulating environment for young children. He advocates for a systematic approach to education, encouraging the use of purpose-built infant schools and specialized teaching techniques. The book provides practical guidance on the design and organization of these institutions, offering insights into the arrangement of classrooms, curriculum development, and the role of teachers. Wilderspin also highlights the significance of incorporating physical exercises and moral teachings into the curriculum to foster holistic development. The book remains an influential work in the field of early childhood education, offering valuable insights and principles that have shaped the foundations of modern educational practices.

Samuel Wilderspin became a household name in his own lifetime. Befriended by Dickens, lampooned by Cruikshank, his achievements discussed in Parliament, he was one of the best known educators of the 1830s and 1840s. However, Wilderspin’s consistent opposition to denominational education combined with his liberal and advanced views made him unpopular with the Establishment. Samuel Wilderspin’s fame declined after his retirement in 1847 but his reputation as an infant school educator has survived. Many of his ideas and practices have had a great influence on infant education. In this book, first published in 1982, Wilderspin’s own story is placed in the context of this growing movement led by Owen, Buchanan and Oberlin, and it goes a long way towards reinstating him as one of the prominent figures in the early education movement. This title will be of interest to students of history and education.

This is a historical analysis of the development of infant education in Ireland. It spans the the period from the opening of the Model Infant School in Marlborough Street, Dublin to the introduction of the child-centred curriculum for infant classes in 1948.

Reproduction of the original: The Infant System by Samuel Wilderspin