Description
Book SynopsisFriedrich Froebel, the father of kindergarten', is one of the most influential pedagogues of the 19th century. However, relatively little is known about his life, his successes and failures, and his personal relationships. Based on many untranslated and unknown letters, this new biography presents Froebel as a brilliant but also flawed man. Beginning with his childhood and the early death of his mother, as well as his difficult relationship with his father and stepmother, we see the early seeds of Froebel's interest in children and the training of early childhood practitioners. While Froebel lacked basic academic knowledge due to his poor early education, he was able to overcome these deficits and found an educational institute, and develop ground-breaking educational theories about play and pedagogy. He authored multiple books, including his most famous work
The Education of Man. The focus of this book, though, is not on Froebel's educational theories but on his complicated rel
Trade ReviewAn important, well-written, and fascinating new edition to the story of Friedrich Froebel and the history of early childhood education. Much of this research was previously unavailable in English and is a treasure trove of materials for researchers and fans of Froebel alike. -- Scott Bultman, Director of the Froebel Foundation, USA
170 years after his death this book is the first comprehensive account of the life of pioneering educator Friedrich Fröbel. Thoroughly researched and based on contemporary re-reading of period sources, this book is an invaluable resource for anybody interested in the history of education. -- Mathias Urban, Desmond Chair in Early Childhood Education, Dublin City University, Ireland
Table of ContentsIntroduction
Part I: The Young Froebel 1. An Unfortunate Childhood and Finding a Purpose in Life 2. Suddenly an Educator 3. Becoming an Educator of Humankind
Part II: The Teaching Froebel 4. The General German Educational Institute in Keilhau 5. An Existential Crisis
Part III: The Playing Froebel 6. The First Kindergarten and the Establishment of a New Idea 7. The Prohibition of Kindergarten 8. Froebel’s Final Years and the Spread of Kindergarten Conclusion: Froebel in the 21st Century References Index
