Pauline Kergomard

Pauline Kergomard was a significant French educator who championed early childhood education. She served as a general inspector of schools from 1879 to 1917. During her tenure, Kergomard was instrumental in abolishing fees in maternal schools in 1881. She also issued guidelines advocating for children to engage with challenging toys and games and to have freedom of movement.1

Under her influence, maternal schools, which cater to children aged two to six, became more accessible. By 1911, nearly all French children had access to either a dedicated maternal school or an infants' section within a primary school building, with about 60 percent attending such institutions. These schools focused on supervised play, singing, drawing, and rudimentary instruction, aiming to improve children's perception, language skills, and moral sensitivity.1