Elements of a Froebelian Education for Children from
Birth to Seven years

1. Principles which include

• recognition of the uniqueness of each child's capacity and potential
• an holistic view of each child's development
• recognition of the importance of play as a central integrating element in a child's development and learning
• an ecological view of humankind in the natural world
• recognition of the integrity of childhood in its own right
• recognition of the child as part of a family and a community

2. A pedagogy which involves

• knowledgeable and appropriately qualified early childhood professionals
• skilled and informed observation of children, to support effective development, learning and teaching
• awareness that education relates to all capabilities of each child: imaginative, creative, symbolic, linguistic, mathematical, musical, aesthetic, scientific, physical, social, moral, cultural and spiritual
• parents/carers and educators working in harmony and partnership
• first hand experience, play, talk and reflection
• activities and experiences that have sense, purpose and meaning to the child, and involve joy, wonder, concentration, unity and satisfaction
• an holistic approach to learning which recognises children as active, feeling and thinking human beings, seeing patterns and making connections
• encouragement rather than punishment
• individual and collaborative activity and play
• an approach to learning which develops children's autonomy and self confidence

3. An environment which

• is physically safe but intellectually challenging, promoting curiosity, enquiry, sensory stimulation and aesthetic awareness
• demonstrates the unity of indoors and outdoors, of the cultural and the natural
• allows free access to a rich range of materials that promote open-ended opportunities for play, representation and creativity
• entails the setting being an integral part of the community it serves, working in close partnership with parents and other skilled adults
• is educative rather than merely amusing or occupying
• promotes interdependence as well as independence, community as well as individuality and responsibility as well as freedom.

*page last updated October 2007