Friedrich Froebel Sascha * Ashley Gaudiano

Froebel had a hard life as a child Mom died when he was young Stepmother treated him indifferently Dad was always busy with work He poured everything he had into his studies “Protect the new generation: do not let them grow up into emptiness and nothingness…”

“Play is the work of children.”

Froebel’s went to an all girls’ school Religion became an important role in his life His older brother inspired him to go to college Attended the University of Jena Studied Botany

Froebel as a Man Known as “an educational pioneer” Invented Kindergarten in1873 Froebel College opened in 1892 Wrote his own books “Man is a creative being”

Influenced Froebel John Amos Comenius- “the father of modern education” Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi- Swiss educator Anton Gruner-ran his own school Influenced by Froebel Henriette Schrader- Breymann- a key educator Baroness Bertha von Marenholtz-Buelow- advocate of Froebel’s methods Margarethe Schurz- opened several kindergartens in Germany “Recognize that each child’s personality is sacred.” -Pestalozzi

The Big K Froebel started teaching at Gruner’s school While teaching, he found his true calling He loved spending time with kids He also found things he did not like about the school system Vowed to make his own school “People can do creative things that mirror and contribute to the unity of the universe”

Began in 1873 “A Kinder Garden”-a garden for children Stimulating environment Encourage kids to be curious Kids had choice, not rules Outdoor activities as well Provided stability and security Encourage kids to take responsibility

Close observation by teachers and parents Provides choices for the children Helps children to develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills Lets kids explore the world in fun ways Prepares children for school Generally taught by women

Mother and Independent Women The loss of a mother helped Froebel realize the importance of women He wanted the mother figure expanded outside of the home Gave women a chance for careers as Kindergarten teachers Also gave women respect “The destiny of nations lies far more in the hands of women, the mothers, than in the Possessors of power, or those of innovators who for the most part do not understand themselves. We must cultivate women, who are the educators of the human race, else the new generation cannot accomplish its task.”

G i f t s Their purpose is to assure constant progress of the child’s development Play Gifts are simple at first Gradually become more complex Follow the order of evolution

1 st Gift 6 Worsted balls 6 Different colors Ages 2 months and up Replica of the world Teaches motion, direction, and control of the muscles

2 nd Gift Spheres and Cubes Basis of the kindergarten system Children employ themselves in more definite ways The cube and sphere are opposite and alike

Wooden cube Children pull things together and pull them apart Forms of life Forms of knowledge Forms of beauty

4 th Gift 5 th Gift Cube Has same dimensions of 3 rd gift Has 8 identical blocks Same volume as 3 rd gift, but twice as long and half the thickness Add together with the 3 rd gift Expands on the cubes of the 3 rd gift Larger cube with blocks along each edge Consists of 27 cubes 3 of the cubes divide diagonally to form 6 triangular faced blocks 3 other cubes are divided twice to form 12 smaller triangular blocks

“If three hundred years after my death my method of education shall be completely established according to its idea, I shall rejoice In heaven.” –Friedrich Froebel *ANY QUOTES THAT WERE NOT GIVEN CREDIT TO WERE QUOTES OF FROEBEL HIMSELF*

Works Cited Downs, Robert B. Friedrich Froebel. Boston: Twayne, Print. "Friedrich Froebel and Informal Education." the Informal Education Homepage. Web. 06 Dec "Friedrich Froebel’s Work on Strengths - The Strengths Foundation." Welcome to The Strengths Foundation - Sharing the Strengths Way of Encouraging People. Web. 06 Dec "Quotes of Friedrich Froebel." Friedrich Froebel Created Kindergarten and Designed the Froebel Gifts and Blocks. Web. 06 Dec