Frobel was born in Prussia in 1782. He studied preschool education through his perusal of Pestalozzi’s “Mother’s Book”. He started his “kindergarten” at Blankenburg. It is a German word which means garden of children. He developed Play gifts (these are packed in boxes with printed directions for use) and play songs (these are printed with illustrations).
His Ideas and Contributions:
Child was the sole source of educational principles, the teacher has to simply follow where the students lead.
Child develops himself through his own creative activities.
Self activity is important for the education of children. Child needs to be given freedom of action.
He insisted upon the necessity of a unified inner life and peace which can be brought by play. According to him Play gives joy, freedom, contentment, inner and outer rest, peace with the world.
Froebel’s kindergarten centered around 3 procedures
Use of his gifts
Singing of Songs
Playing of various educational games in the play circle.
Play material: The materials were of two types: Geometrical Patterns and the essentials for such activities as modeling, drawing, sewing and coloring. The Geometric patterns were known as “gifts” and the activities as “Occupations”. Gifts allow free play to the child which facilitates all round development of personality.
The two other elements of Froebel’s Kindergarten were ‘Play circles’ and ‘Play songs’.
The Curriculum: Froebel’s curriculum was an active curriculum. It includes:
Self expressive activities through play
Rhyming and rhythm are essential to expression of language
Hand works are an opportunity for expression
Nature study
Gifts and occupations to stimulate motor expression
Participants