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TWO RECENT FEI INITIATIVES
1. THE SOWETO PROJECT
The Froebel Educational Institute (FEI) is funding an initiative in Soweto, in Kliptown, which is an area of high poverty, where many children are orphaned or their close family are dying of HIV/aids.
Two UK-based Froebel tutors, Tina Bruce and Stella Louis, recently participated in a local scheme called 'ABCD' (Asset Based Community Development), whereby, across three years the 'assets' of the Kliptown pre-school/crèche (200 children 1-6 years) were agreed by staff and Froebel tutors. These were dance, song and language development (English as well as their home languages - mainly Zulu and Xosa). This scheme and its implementation resonated well with Froebelian principles.
The staff were also helped to develop more play-based learning and to go beyond the programme they were following. Stella Louis, one of the Froebel tutors, was given a Zulu name, 'Jabulile' which means 'Happiness', in acknowledgement of her work with the staff. The photographs show the dance, song and English rhymes, together with the introduction of Froebel's Gifts and Occupations and development of play indoors and outdoors, in ways which are sustainable, up-to-date and appropriate for this community.
The Froebel tutors also made links with Unika School, a school offering Afrikaan-based education in Johannesburg, and the head, Enid van Rensburg, visited the school in Kliptown while the Froebel tutors were working there. This link will continue. Eastwood Nursery School and Children's Centre, Roehampton, has also been linked, and Liesl Hewitt, a teacher from Eastwood, will visit Kliptown in summer 2010.
This is what Pam Mfaxa, the Principal of the Kliptown school said,
'The things that you left us with will always bring joy to the children in many more years to come. You have taught us many things which have helped us to improve our style of teaching. Our children are the most brilliant and they remember each and every single thing you taught them. I agree with you when you say they are quick to learn new things. The things that they do are amazing,'
2. THE SECOND EDINBURGH CONFERENCE
The second Froebel Conference in Edinburgh, 'Froebel: Gifts for Our Future' took place on April 24th in the John MacIntyre Hall, University of Edinburgh, with over 140 delegates attending, including HMI, nursery teachers, family workers and a diverse range of practitioners working with children and parents.
The conference delegates were welcomed by Councillor Marilyne MacLaren, Convener of Education, Children and Families, City of Edinburgh Council. She spoke about the importance of Froebel's approach in emphasising child-initiated play, the need to feel loved in childhood, learning through the senses and meaningful first experiences. She reminded delegates that Froebel's approach is quoted in several places in the 'Children and Families Early Years Strategy and Action Plan Summary' published in January 2010.
Professor Tina Bruce CBE, Roehampton University, spoke to the title, 'Froebel's Gifts Today: Observing Children and helping them to develop Wooden Block Play'
Helen Tovey, Principal Lecturer, Roehampton University, spoke to the title, 'Play Outdoors, Adventure and Challenge: A Froebelian Perspective on the Nursery Garden Today'.
The evaluation of the conference shows that there is an enthusiasm for further conferences which highlight a Froebelian approach. The first Froebel Conference organised by the Edinburgh Froebel Network received a grant from the Froebel Education Institute (FEI).
The organising committee:
Maureen Baker (recently retired head of Children's House maintained Nursery School)
Stella Brown (Head of Tynecastle maintained Nursery School)
Chris McKormick (Head of Cameron House maintained Nursery School)
Lynn McNair (Head of Cowgate Children's Centre for Under Fives)
Jane Whinnett (Head of Balgreen maintained Nursery School)
at their final preparatory meeting
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