Abstract
During the first half of the twentieth century the interest in special education was increasing in Western countries. This was a reaction to the inclusive practise of the nineteenth century school systems. Most handicapped children were kept home or sent to regular schools, which neglected their special needs. The introduction of compulsory education, in the Netherlands in 1900, stimulated the founding of special schools and the development of tests and further research on children with behavioural and learning problems. In the Netherlands Jan Waterink (1890-1966), professor at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam took a leading part in this field of research. This paper describes his career and contribution to the academic child studies and special education. His pioneering work in his Psychological Laboratory and Paedologisch Instituut in Amsterdam, aimed at integrating scientific research and caring concerning disabled and problem children. Many pedagogues and psychologists from abroad visited the institute and considered it to be a model for a clinic in their own country.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 21-28 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | International Journal of Special Education |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 3 |
Publication status | Published - 2009 |
Keywords
- history
- child study movement
- Psychology, Child
- Child Behavior Disorders
- psychoanalysis