ABSTRACT

British Froebelian Women from the Mid-Nineteenth to the Twenty-First Century presents a series of critical case studies of individual women who worked and advocated for the cause of Froebelian and progressive pedagogy in Britain from the mid-nineteenth century until the present day. The book presents a compelling picture of how women have contributed in powerful ways to educational life and child-centred practices.

The book examines the beliefs and values of its subjects, offering crucial insights into how these women forged their professional identities and practice as new thinking about education and childhood emerged, and considers the differing forms of inspiration they drew from their connections with the Froebelian community.

This book will be of great interest for postgraduate students and academics in the fields of Women's Studies, History of Education, Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Studies.

chapter |20 pages

Introduction: Identity and community, revision and dissemination

The evolving Froebel community in Britain

chapter Chapter 1|19 pages

Esther E. Lawrence (1862–1944)

23Defining and redefining Froebelian pedagogy at the Froebel Educational Institute, London

chapter Chapter 2|16 pages

Clara Grant (1867–1949)

43Implementing Froebelian pedagogy in an East London slum

chapter Chapter 3|17 pages

Grace Owen (1873–1965)

59The sharing and fostering of Froebelian principles within the nursery school movement

chapter Chapter 4|18 pages

Jeanie P. Slight (1890–1973)

77Disseminating revisionist Froebelian pedagogy

chapter Chapter 5|16 pages

Enid Blyton (1897–1968)

95Articulating Froebelian pedagogy through literature for children and teachers

chapter Chapter 6|18 pages

Molly Brearley (1905–1994)

111Educating teachers and popularising developmental approaches in the post-war era

chapter Chapter 7|17 pages

Elinor Goldschmied (1910–2009)

129Pioneering practice for people under three and those who care for them

chapter Chapter 8|17 pages

Chris Athey (1924–2011)

147Integrating Piagetian principles into Froebelian pedagogy

chapter Chapter 9|16 pages

Tina Bruce (b.1947)

165Advocating and practising Froebelian principles