* Italian physician and educator
* Developed the Montessori method of education, which emphasizes hands-on learning and self-directed activity
* Founded the first Montessori school in 1907 in Rome, Italy
* Her work has influenced early childhood education around the world
2. Jean Piaget (1896-1980)
* Swiss psychologist and philosopher
* Developed a theory of cognitive development that describes how children's thinking changes as they grow
* His work has influenced early childhood education by providing a framework for understanding how children learn
3. Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934)
* Russian psychologist and educator
* Developed a sociocultural theory of development that emphasizes the role of social interaction in children's learning
* His work has influenced early childhood education by providing a framework for understanding how children learn in social contexts