2nd Edition
Bringing the Froebel Approach to your Early Years Practice
Have you ever wondered about the origins of the kindergarten and the influence of Froebel on early years practice? What did Froebel mean by a garden for children? Why did he believe that play is central in young children’s learning?
Bringing the Froebel Approach to your Early Years Practice looks at the founder of the kindergarten and his profound influence on provision and practice for young children today. The Froebelian approach is not a method but includes distinctive principles which shape and guide practice.
This new edition has been fully updated in line with the revised EYFS and includes:
- extra material on using the approach with children of different ages and the role of the adult
- a discussion of key Froebelian principles such as play, imagination, creativity, learning through self-activity and making connections
- an examination of block play and how this can be developed in contemporary settings
- Froebel’s ideas on nature and outdoor play and why these are fundamental to young children’s learning
- how Froebel used movement, song, rhythm and rhyme to provide key learning experiences
With examples of innovative practice and ideas for reflection, this convenient guide will help practitioners and students fully understand what the Froebel approach can offer their setting and children.
1. An introduction to a Froebelian approach. 2. Friedrich Froebel, his life and his ideas. 3. A Froebelian approach to play and learning. 4. An environment for living and learning. 5. Resources and how they are used. 6. The nursery garden and play outdoors. 7. The wider world of people and places. 8. Block play. 9. Movement, song, rhythm and rhyme. 10. Adult roles and relationships. Appendix 1: Key principles underpinning a Froebelian approach Appendix 2: Further information about Froebel and a Froebelian approach
Biography
Helen Tovey is a former Principal Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at the University of Roehampton, UK. She is a Froebel trained nursery teacher and previous headteacher of an inner city nursery school.
Jan Marks, University of Chester, UK
This book clearly shows the main principles of Froebel’s philosophy and how it relates to early years practice today. I have used this book, mainly with the Level 4 (first year) Early Childhood Studies undergraduates. It is important that they understand a range of approaches to early years education. Froebel is one of the main pioneers that we look at. Texts such as this one give the students the opportunity to compare and contrast and identify appropriate practice.This edition needs updating, especially with regard to references to the out of date EYFS.
Emma Byrne, Early Years Practitioner, UK
I like the look and feel of the book; it is small, compact and clearly set out. When I initially opened the book I found the first section really interesting about Froebel and his life and could see his ideas in settings where I work. The ideas in the book and chapters are practical and useful. I think the structure and format is good but from the other questions would consider more about ages and ideas of how to implement the more challenging activities with the younger children or how to vary the activities so more suitable for a younger child, more about documenting the child’s skills and more about the adult role and managing the situation.
