(Un) Weaving the emergence of early childhood education in 1930s’ San Luis

Abstract

Early childhood education as part of the Argentinian education system has gone through numerous debates around its emergence. Kindergarten, however, laid its ground at the moment of the foundation of the education system set in motion by Domingo Faustino Sarmiento. In this paper we explore the emergence of early childhood education in educational institutions in the city of San Luis.

It is worth mentioning that this paper is part of the research project PROICO 4-1214 “teacher training in the Province of San Luis between 1943 and 1952. Culture, Politics and Society”, which fits into the framework of a social history of education, where we understand education as intertwined with social, political and economic realities, among others.

We analyzed document sources such as: the first kindergarten’s (today called Centro Educativo N°8 “Maestras Lucio Lucero”) historic book, circular letters belonging to said institution, bibliography and local newspapers of the time. We decided to focus on this institution due to its being the first early childhood education institution created in the province.