This year's Froebel Trust lecture explored how we can nurture children’s creativity and autonomous learning with practice examples from New York. It took place on Tuesday 7 October 2025.
Watch the recording and find a recommended reading list from the presenters below.
We were joined by Jane Clarke, a progressive educator with over 40 years’ experience of specialising in early childhood teaching, teacher mentoring and curriculum development. Jane has worked with young children and educators in London, Los Angeles and New York City.
Jane’s presentation explored the legacy of City and Country School in New York and its founder, Caroline Pratt. Founded in 1914 and still going strong in 2025, the lecture highlighted the open-ended materials Pratt invented, the Unit Block system and outdoor building materials.
We explored where Pratt’s ideas, which were considered revolutionary at the time, originated from and how they have become central to the Lower School curriculum at City and Country School.
Attendees heard about recent examples of the way in which young children are encouraged to explore their ideas, understandings and wonderings in creative ways through play, using these materials. It also highlighted how teachers are equipped to encourage these explorations, respecting and interpreting the learning that is central to the experiences the children are engaging in, both alone and together.
As children build their confidence, resilience and sense of personal and collective responsibility through these early experiences, the presentation concluded with a look to the future and their potential to actively participate in a democratic society.
The session was chaired by Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor, Pete Moorhouse and Pete was joined by Froebel Trust Trustee, Catriona Gill to provide responses to Jane's presentation. There was also time for questions from the audience.
Additional Resources
To supplement the Autumn Lecture, speakers Jane Clarke, Catriona Gill and Pete Moorhouse compiled a list of resources to support and inspire block play. Download the Block by Block Additional Resources.
Download our free pamphlet, Froebel's Gifts and Block Play Today, written by Frobel Trust Travelling Tutor, Jane Whinnett MBE. Featuring real-life examples and practical steps you can take to build block play into your early years setting.
Download our free pamphlet, A Froebelian approach: The Wonder of Woodwork, written by Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor, Pete Moorhouse. In this pamphlet, Pete explores woodwork, its holistic nature for development and how you can introduce woodwork into your Early Years setting.
Speakers
Jane Clarke, a progressive educator with over 40 years' experience in Early Childhood education.
Jane is a passionate educator specialising in Early Childhood teaching, teacher mentoring and curriculum development for more than 40 years in London, Los Angeles and New York city. For more information about Jane, visit her bio on our website here.
Pete Moorhouse, Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor and the Autumn Lecture chair.
Pete is an Early Years Creative Consultant and works regularly as an artist educator in settings. Froebelian principles very much inform his work with children. Read more about Pete on our 'Meet the Team' page.
Catriona Gill, Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor and member of Education Scotland.
Catriona is leading Early Years educator and 2021 joined the Early Years team at Education Scotland, following more than 20 years in teaching roles after gaining a degree in Psychology and a Post-graduate Certificate in Education. Read more about Catriona on our 'Meet the Team' page.
