Abraham Maslow and the Self-Actualization Theory

Abraham Maslow was a man who has a tremendous influence on early childhood education. Maslow’s theory was about achieving self-actualization with the satisfaction of human needs. According to Maslow’s theory basic needs have to be satisfied before any other higher level needs can be satisfied. “Abraham Maslow proposed what has become an almost definitive model of self-actualization with his theory of hierarchy of needs.” (Hanley, Abell, 2002). The hierarchy consists of five different levels. The five levels are life essentials, safety and security, belonging and love, achievement and prestige, and aesthetic needs. It is important for the first level to be fully satisfied before the next can begin. I will discuss three of these levels to help you understand why I feel Maslow’s theory best aligns with my personal views of early childhood educations. “It is clear from various accounts of Maslow that his work was very complex and can be read in a number of ways. Certainly he was a complex thinker.” (Dye, Mills, Weatherbee, 2005).
The first level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs begins with our most basic needs. These needs are known to us as life’s essentials. Life’s essentials such as food, water, and the air we breathe. We were all taught at an early age how important it is to eat three balanced meals a day. When a child begins their day with a good breakfast they are able to function and begin their learning. If a child is sitting at their desk with their stomach growling, it is difficult for them to concentrate.
The second level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is safety and security. Children should always feel safe and secure. Safety and security is one of the most important things we learn in life. If a child does not feel safe they will become closed off. By becoming closed off the child will not learn as much as they need to. It is important as a teacher to stress safety and security.
This is not only in the meaning of physically but also