Early child care education
Every child is precious
Friedrich August Froebel
Froebel was an idealist, but his idealism has made strongly for the success of education.
Kindergarten is a German word, which means a children garden. Froebel conceived the school as a
garden, the teacher as the gardener and the students as tender plants. The teacher like the gardener is
to look after the little human plants and water them to grow to beauty and perfection. Froebel
discovered much similarity between a child and a plant. He believed that the process of growth and
development of the plants and the child is the same. The plants grow from within according to the seed
that is within. In the same way the child grows from within.
Basic principal of kindergarten system or methods of teaching
1. Self activity : froebel stressed that the child should be given full freedom to carry out his
activities. The growth of the child is directed by inner force in the child. Self activity of the mind
is the first law of kindergarten. The instructions steadily goes on from the simple to the complex,
from the concrete to the abstract, so well adapted to the child and his needs. He goes as easily
to his learning as to his play.
The following points should be noted regarding activity : it should not be vague, it should be a controlled
activity, social atmosphere is essential in order to secure meaningful results. Self activity may take the
form either of work or of play.
2. Learning by playing : according to froebel play gives joy, freedom and contentment. Froebel
recognized that play needs to be organised on definite material so that it may not degenerate
into aimless play instead of preparing for those tasks of life for which it is destined. There should
be rational, conscious guidance, consequently, Frobel has given 7 gives to play with. The
importance of kindergarten system technique of teaching in kindergarten system lies in teaching
through play.
3. Songs : gestures and construction. Froebel saw an organic relationship between songs, gestures
and construction. He regarded these as three co-ordinate forms of expression in the child.
4. Gifts – froebel prepared his gifts which form the basis of all modern kindergarten. Each of these
gifts was accompanied and cheered by appropriate songs and music.
5. The role of teacher – the teacher is not to remain passive. The teacher has to suggest the idea of
occupation when gifts are offered to children. The teacher is required to demonstrate certain
activities to them she also sings a song with a view to helping the child to form appropriate idea.
6. Freedom in education : in froebels word self activity can be developed only in an atmosphere of
freedom. Freedom will bring out the natural and rational development of inner faculties of the
child. Teacher should not interfere with activities of the child. Freedom does not imply freedom
to do whatever the child likes. It is a controlled freedom when child keeps in view freedom of
other.
7. Discipline : according to froebel view on discipline, a teacher has important responsibilities to
perform. He has to inculcate sympathetically values likes love, sympathy, humility, cooperation,
and obedience to elders. He has to avoid external restraint and bodily punishment. The child
should be made to realize that discipline depends upon his love for others, goodwill and mutual
understanding. Froeble stressed that women should be trained for training children at this
stage.
Froebels influence on modern education
1. Emphasis on pre primary or pre basic education
2. New concept of school – school was a little world where responsibility was shared by all.
Individual and voluntary cooperation was practised by all. His school was a society in miniature.
The present school is being regarded as a cooperative institution.
3. Education through play – froebel believed that lay is the highest phase of self development. He
introduced playway in the activities of school. We teach children through songs, movements,
gestures, dramatization,hand work,
4. Activity in education – froebel was the first educator to make self activity as the basis of
education. Learning by doing is the slogan of the day. the present school has become a place of
activity and joy for children. We provide activities for children so that they may satisfy their
instincts of construction, manipulation, curiosity and acquisition.
5. Stress on the study of the child – Froebel stressed the need for the study of the nature of the
child, his instincts and impulses. Modern educatior is very careful to see that adequate scope is
provided for the free play of the impulses and instincts of children.
6. Sense training : froebel introduced gifts for the training of the senses of children. With the help
of these gifts he wanted to give the idea of shape, form, color, size and number. In every
modern school those activities are introduced that help in the training of the senses. Audio-
visual aids form an integral part of the present system of education.
