Susan Isaacs

Her Theories

• Pioneered Child centred education
• Her ideas were based on Froebel and Dewey
• Passionate about children attending Nursery School
• She emphasised that early years settings offered opportunities not available at home
• "nursery school is an extension of the function of the domestic home life, not a substitute for it" (Ibid, 1952)
• As a teacher, childhood researcher and psychoanalyst she recognised the importance of young children being enabled to find a balance between the need for explorative freedom and emotional expression, instilling self discipline without damaging self esteem
• Recognised importance of nurturing environment, allowing children to explore their interests with no fixed curriculum
• Introduced concept of holistic observation in a naturalistic environment
• Had an important influence on the 1967 Plowden Report

Impact on Today

Main Theory Principles

About the School

• "educational research project inspired by object relational theorist Melanie Klein" (Pelcowitz 2012)
• Ran from 1924 - 1927
• Although it was only open for 5 years, "through the writings and teaching of Susan Isaacs it had a lasting impact on early years education." (Graham P, 2008)
• The environment encouraged the children to explore and learn for themselves
• There were no fixed lessons or a curriculum, just free play and lots of self selection
• The children were allowed to use 'adult' equipment such as typewriters, woodwork tools, gramophones and bunsen burners
• Although the children were given freedom, Isaacs also recognised that children needed "Order, Security and guidance" (May H, 2012)
• Isaacs published the results of her findings in 1930 in a book called “Intellectual growth in young children”

The Malting House School

• Since 1920s Isaacs has had huge impact on British Education system
• Many of the theories she believed in are in current practice today
• She believed that children should have the freedom of choice and be as independent in their approach to life as possible
• Isaacs believed that she was able to gain a wealth of knowledge through observation alone and often observed the children with no communication on her part.
• She believed through observation she was able to record everything that happened which she then able to reflect upon, similar to why we observe children today.
• Now in 2013, we observe children throughout the whole day, following their interests, their choices and their imagination, giving us knowledge of how they learn and what their next steps are.

• Observation EYFSp3 (Profiles)
• Free Play/self selected EYFSp6 Freedom (Free Play)
• Importance of exploration and play EYFSp12 (Child led and Freedom)
• Emphasis on curiosity and finding things out EYFSp 6 (Characteristics of effective learning)
• The use and development of language to promote thinking and independence EYFSp20 (Time to think)
• The attention paid to children's emotional needs EYFSp8 (PSED)

This "progressive early childhood school" pioneered a "radical approach to educating young children" (May H, 2012)

Key Dates

1885 Born

1912 BA in Philosophy

1913 Masters in Psychology

1913-'14 Lecturing at Darlington College

1921 - 'Introduction to psychology' published

1923 - Memeber of British Psychoanalytical Society

1924-1927 Directed Malting House School

1930 - 'Intellectual Growth in young children' Published

1931 - Received Doctor of Science (DSc)

1929 -'36 - worked for Nursery World Magazine

1943 conducted 'Cambridge Evacuation Survey'

1948 - 'The nature and function of phantasy - Childhood and after' Published, Awarded CBE

1948 - Died

Who was she?

"Susan Isaacs made a significant impression on the world of early childhood education during the first half of the twentieth century" Willian J, 2011

• Left school at 15 to become a governess
• Got a job at a school where she realised this was the career path she wanted to take
• Qualified as a Nursery school Teacher and studied Philosophy and Psychology
• Has published 4 books and research articles
• Worked closely with psychoanalyst John Carl Flugel, which increased her love of psychoanalysis
• Directed the Malting House School, a "radical approach to educating young children" (Grenier J (2009)
• Worked as agony aunt for Nursery World magazine under the pseudonym Ursula Wise between 1929 and 1936
• During 2nd world war,Isaacs carried out a study called the 'Cambridge Evacuation survey: a wartime study in social welfare and education' (1943). This study looked at the many different effects that evacuation had on these children.
• Isaacs work was compiled and released as a piece called “Childhood and after”
• She was awarded a CBE before she died in 1948

Created By

Harrie Stutchbury

Ashleigh Wild

Amparo Johnson

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Susan Isaacs 1885 - 1948