ABSTRACT
Friedrich Froebel pioneered the kindergarten for children aged from two to seven years, and from this the British nursery schools emerged, still emulated throughout the world. Froebel was the first educator to realise that childhood play can contribute to development and learning physically, emotionally and intellectually. Play transforms first-hand, direct sensory experiences and physical movement into rich symbolic experiences, which lift the child to a higher level of functioning, reaching into the past, future and imagination. Play makes a major contribution in helping children to manage their thoughts, ideas, feelings, relationships and physical selves. Play is a resource for flexible, adaptive thinking, and it gives children opportunities for abstract thoughts which are made tangible in ways suitable for childhood. Children are taught how to use and respect materials. There is great emphasis on being part of a learning community of adults and children together.
