Stories from the Library: Looking to Learn

In “Looking to Learn,” visitors will encounter rich visual and historical, printed and manuscript materials that illustrate shifts in teaching methods in England and the United States. 

The exhibition explores how changing ideas about child development inspired educators and parents to incorporate hands-on activities, practical subjects, and play into children’s learning. Highlights include the first schoolbook printed in California, Tablas para los niños que empiezan a contar (Tables for children who are beginning to count)—produced in 1836 by printer Agustin Vicente Zamorano. Other featured materials include richly illustrated wall charts, board games, and lesson books that reflect evolving viewpoints about childhood, morality, and intellectual curiosity.