In France, Physician Edouard Séguin, trained as a physician, opens world’s first school for children with intellectual disabilities. For the first time, developmental delays are separate from mental illness.
Dr. William John Little establishes the classic definition of cerebral palsy.
Down syndrome first officially identified by English physician John Langdon Down.
Maria Montessori opens her first preschool in Rome, focused on children’s environments and their own individual, self-teaching in a carefully prepared classroom. Preschools today continue to use the Montessori methods.
Sisters Rachel and Margaret MacMillan open their first open air nursery school in London that focused on a child’s self-care, individual responsibility and educational readiness skills.
Life expectancy for a person with Down syndrome: 9 years.
First folding wheelchair introduced by two engineers, one of whom used a wheelchair for his own mobility.
During the Great Depression, nursery schools were on the rise and utilized primarily by the working poor. During World War II, women from all socio-economic groups enter the workforce to support wartime efforts. The Lanham Act temporarily provides for federally funded daycare centers within local neighborhoods. After the war ended, funding dries up and daycare centers close or are only available to families who can afford tuition.
With the end of funding from the Lanham Act, daycare centers are closing. In response to the impending need, Marian Fulton – the first President of The Childhood League – writes the Council of Social Agencies to ask how the new Childhood League can best help the community. As a result, The Childhood League continues operations at the Jacob Hare Home and begins operating a community nursery school located in housing projects on Columbus’ west side – the Sullivant Gardens Nursery School located at 871 Coolidge Drive.
On May 25th, 1945, the first meeting of The Childhood League was held at Dorothy Carroll’s home. The Childhood League operated a daycare called the Jacob Hare Home.
