Dr. Lilian Katz

Biography• Born in London, England – 1932• Twin sister Anita, older sister Ellen• Evacuated to country during World War II“We were treated with healthy neglect during those years.”• Sister Ellen married an American soldier; family emigrated to

USA in 1947• Lived with Susan Harrison Johnson while attending Whittier

Academy; met future husband Boris Katz• 3 children, Daniel, Stephen and Miriam• Returned to Stanford University for Bachelors and PhD (there

was no Masters program at the time)

Impact on Early Childhood Education

• Frequent contributor to the early childhood literature• Talks with Teachers of Young Children (1995)• Engaging Children’s Minds: The Project Approach (1989)• Founded Early Childhood Research Quarterly; served as

editor-in-chief for first 6 years• Currently chair of the editorial board of the International

Journal of the Early Years• Editor of Early Childhood Research & Practice; 1st peer-

reviewed, internet only, journal in early education

Impact, continued

• Founded the Illinois Association for the Education Of Young Children

• President of NAEYC 1992-1994; Vice-President 1986-1990• Has guided the ERIC Clearinghouse of Elementary and Early

Childhood Education (ERIC/EECE) for more than 30 years.• The Developmental Stages of Teachers• PROJECT APPROACH

The Project Approach

• Teaching strategies that guide students through in-depth studies of real-world topics

• Complex but flexible framework• Teaching and learning is interactive• May be used with the whole class or in small groups• *** Students feel highly motivated and actively involved in

their own learning***• www.projectapproach.com

Teacher Stages• STAGE 1: Survival; “Will I make it through the day? Until the next school holiday?”

“Can I really do this kind of work day after day?”

• STAGE 2: Consolidation: Begin to focus on individual children“How can I help a clinging child?” “How can I help a particular child who does

not seem to be learning:”

• STAGE 3: Renewal; “What are some new approaches to helping children’s language

development?” “What are some of the new approaches, materials, techniques and ideas being developed?”

Honors

Include:• 2 Fulbright Awards; India and New Zealand• Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree form Whittier College• Honorary Doctors of Letters Degree from Göteborg University

in Sweden• Well known around the world as an early childhood leader

and role model.

What the people say:

Colleagues:•“ She literally wrote the book on professionalism in early childhood education.”Teachers:•“I left that seminar feeling wounded, but energized, knowing my teaching would never be the same.”Children: A picture speaks 1000 words:

Resources:

• Educating Young Children, Laverne Warner and Judith Sower, Pearson Education, Inc. 2005

• Clearinghouse on Early Childhood Education; http://ceep.uiuc.edu

• Ask Lilian Katz; http://illinoisearlylearning.org/ask-dr-katz.html

• Project Approach; www.projectapproach.org