The Transformation of the Child's Garden over the 20th Century

• In Event: 207 - Section on Sociology of Education Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 15. Elementary Education

Abstract

The emergence and transformation of kindergarten in the U.S. is the quintessential example of the strength of school expansion, the ever greater institutionalization of education in children’s lives, and the rise in formal education’s emphasis on cognitive skills among young children. Although kindergarten enrollments skyrocketed over the course of the 20th century; in the first half of the century growth was slow and sporadic as kindergarten was slowly incorporated into the public school schedule, but after 1950 enrollments took off and quickly caught up with elementary enrollments even though kindergarten is not compulsory in most states. This paper explores the transformation of kindergarten in the 20th century. First, I examine the history of kindergarten in the U.S. Next I look at expansion of public schooling to increasingly include kindergarten over the 20th century. Finally, I compare the association of mothers’ labor force participation and mothers’ education attainment with kindergarten enrollments.

Author

• Maryellen Schaub, Pennsylvania State University