Abstract
This paper aims to clarify the fundamental perspective and framework of Shuichi Katsuta’s theory of early childhood education. By exploring the historical development of Katsuta’s theory, we can better understand his contribution to the field. Central to Katsuta’s philosophy is the focus on the physical development of children, which led him to challenge the prevailing approaches to early childhood education. In essence, his theory prioritizes the physical development. He emphasized emotions as a vital aspect of early childhood and advocated engaging in collective activities enriching these emotional experiences. This approach centers on play rather than structured learning. Katsuta acknowledged that school education is a continuation of early childhood education; however, he clearly distinguished the two, with school education focusing on cognitive growth, while early childhood education aims to foster physical development.
