Educational essentialism

Essentialists believe that children should learn traditional basic subjects. Essentialists believe that these should be learned thoroughly and rigorously. An essentialist program normally teaches children progressively, from less complex skills to more complex.

An Essentialist will usually teach some set subjects similar to Reading, Writing, Literature, Foreign Languages, History, Math, Science, Art, and Music.

William Bagley (1874-1946) was an important historical Essentialist.

For a discussion of other educational philosophies, see educational philosophies and education reform.