ABSTRACT
Friedrich Froebel was one of the first to emphasise the value of play and its contribution to children’s social and emotional development and learning. In the early 1800s, when Froebel established what he called kindergarten, young children were taught by rote and expected to be passive, so his philosophy for education and new methods represented a radical change. His kindergarten had three main components: creative play; singing and dancing; and observing and nurturing the natural environment. Froebel’s philosophy was based on a creative, child-centred approach that placed play and spiritual growth at the centre. According to Froebel’s philosophy, children should have rich, first-hand, sensory experiences which start with their own interests and then move on to new possibilities. Froebel stressed the importance of innate motivation that he termed ‘self-activity’ and stated that children should have the freedom to follow own motivations. The role of the educator is to be a sensitive partner in play who offers freedom with well-judged guidance.
