ABSTRACT
A major influence on the education of young children since the late nineteenth century, the philosophical and practical tenets of Frobelian early childhood education require urgent re-articulation in light of current debate and developments in research and policy.
This seminal Handbook responds to this need, drawing together a unique and valuable body of literature, research and case studies to make explicit the specific features of Froebelian education and provide key impulses for future research and practice in this area. Chapters present the sometimes divergent perspectives of leading educationalists, and so offer a uniquely comprehensive overview of Froebelian approaches and their interaction with contemporary policies and insights.
The Handbook explores five significant areas of scholarship and practice:
- Part I examines the original Froebelian principles and practices in early childhood education in different parts of the world.
- Part II presents case studies, development projects and practitioner publications exploring Froebelian approaches to early childhood education.
- Part III details research studies which document, debate and evaluate Froebelian approaches.
- Part IV considers how Froebelian approaches might be sustained and adapted for use in various cultural contexts across the world.
- Part V offers a re-articulation of research and policy.
An essential resource for in-service and future practitioners, researchers and policy-makers involved in early childhood education, this key text will promote discussion, aid analysis and further the practical application of Frobelian principles.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|78 pages
An examination of the original Froebelian principles and practices in early childhood education in different parts of the world
chapter 2|5 pages
Tracing Froebel’s legacy
chapter 6|4 pages
‘Social and conceptual spaces – Froebelian geographies’
chapter 8|4 pages
The transfer, translation and transformation of Froebelian theory and practice
chapter 9|11 pages
Froebel is dead; long live Froebel!
chapter 10|11 pages
Working with the 10 principles of early childhood education
chapter 11|4 pages
Advocacy and collaboration in the kindergarten movement of Aotearoa New Zealand
part II|58 pages
Case studies, development projects and practitioner publications exploring Froebelian approaches to early childhood education
chapter 13|5 pages
The Froebel Blockplay Research Project
chapter 20|3 pages
Case study
part III|60 pages
Research studies documenting, debating and evaluating Froebelian approaches
chapter 21|5 pages
Ownership and autonomy in early learning
chapter 22|6 pages
Caring for babies and children under three
chapter 24|4 pages
Living with children
chapter 28|4 pages
Using Froebelian teacher narratives in early years teacher training in England
chapter 29|10 pages
How do twenty-first century teacher trainees connect their practice to Froebel’s pedagogic principles?
part IV|82 pages
Sustaining and handing on the Froebelian approach to early childhood education in ways fit for purpose in a variety of cultural contexts across the world
chapter 34|14 pages
Communities of Froebelian practice
chapter 38|5 pages
From gutter to sand pile
chapter 39|14 pages
A Froebelian journey
part V|19 pages
Re-articulating research and policy