Friedrich Wilhelm August Froebel

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Friedrich Wilhelm August Froebel who was the pioneer of the kindergarten system. The paper focuses on the way that Froebel highlighted the significance of play, theorizing that it is the elementary engagement with the world that provides understanding. It also suggest that it was his desire to teach children by enhancing their natural tendencies, and focusing on their developmental stage as opposed to the traditional methods of the day which treated young children as small adults.

From the Paper:

"Though not without some opposition, the acceptance of Kindergarten was rather swift and spread quickly across Germany. Froebel began inspiring numerous people across the nation to open Kindergartens or train as teachers of Kindergarten by lecturing on his educational system and encouraging the production of his "gifts". At around 1850 there were more than 50 Kindergartens across Germany (Weston 114). In another far-reaching development, Froebel began training women to be Kindergarten educators. It was this move that would develop some of Froebel's most dedicated and influential followers, including Bertha Ronge and her sister, Margarethe, who brought Kindergartens to England and to the United States, respectively."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Michaelis, Emilie, and Keatley Moore (trans.), Froebel, Friedrich. Autobiography of Friedrich Froebel. Project Gutenburg, 2005.
• Liebschner, Joachim. A Child's Work: Freedom and Play in Froebel's Educational Theory and Practice. London: Lutterworth Press, 2002
• Weston, Peter. Friedrich Froebel: His Life, Times and Significance. New York: The Froebel Gallery, 2000.

More papers on Friedrich Wilhelm August Froebel:

• Essay # 14982 : "Friedrich Wilhelm Deichmann"
• Essay # 86278 : "'Prince Friedrich of Homburg' by Heinrich von Kleist."
• Analytical Essay # 141872 : "Friedrich Nietzsche: The Ethics Of Pity"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: