Transplanting Froebel into the present

Abstract

Friedrich Froebel created the kindergarten and in doing so initiated a pedagogy rooted in creative self-activity that helped prepare the path for art education in schools. The purpose of this article is to look back at the lasting influence Froebel's principles have had on art education. I will identify and examine six fundamental ideals that Froebel introduced. Next, I will compare these to the results of recent research in science fields that are dedicated to educational research. Special attention is then given to the issue of nature study in the context of recent literature concerning the relationship of children and the natural world. Finally, I will present questions that may further the dialogue regarding the suitability of Froebel's philosophy for today.

The Continuing Influence of Froebel’s Kindergarten System in Current Early Childhood Education in the USA and South Korea

“…But it has been hard to find some aspects such as Froebel's play-based curriculum using the Gifts and teaching methods such as three concepts of Form of Life, Beauty, and Knowledge in the public kindergarten system since the middle of the twentieth century in both countries. In the early twenty-first century, we can see the renewal of interest in Froebel's play-based curriculum and teaching methods (Provenzo, 2009;Strauch-Nelson, 2012;Tovey, 2013), using his Gifts for educational purposes in both countries through the non-profit organization Froebel USA in the USA and the for-profit Froebel Company in South Korea.…”