The creation of Kindergarten is mainly credited to Fredrich Froebel, known especially for his work in education and play. This man was an idealist whose view of education was closely related to religion and God. His ideas were slightly influenced by Pestalozzi's beliefs and took from them the ideas of permissive school atmosphere, emphasis on nature, and an objective lesson. In the end, Froebel's philosophy of education included free self-expression, creativity, social participation, and motor expression.
During the year 1840, Froebel started the very first kindergarten in Germany. He taught children through the use of symbols that represented his interpretation of the relationship between the individual, God, and nature. Such symbols included what were called "gifts" and "occupations." His "gifts", objects that were fixed in forms, such as blocks, were used to test interesting and imagination. An example of this was his very first "gift", which was balls, hanging onto a bar with string. "Occupations" were defined as activities given to the children.
His development of these objects and activities further intensified his belief that education was to foster a child's natural development. Play, defined by Froebel, was an important means of enhancing self-development. Within time, this belief spread throughout Germany and the nations around it, including the United States. This involved the spread of both the idea of building blocks and items to enhance a child's mind as well as the development of schools for young children, kindergartens.
However, this idea did not last throughout all of time. By the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century, just half a century away from the creation, Froebel's ideal kindergarten was changed into a school that was used to help socialization and Americanization to young immigrant children as well as their parents. It also was used as a transition for young children from living at homes to going to school. Lastly, these kindergartens joined in with elementary schools and started being more strict and firmer with them.
As a result of this, Froebel's toys were substituted for other items. Froebel's "occupations" were changed to selected arts and crafts which were chosen by the teachers. His "gifts", which emphasized imagination and interest, were now just simple building blocks and play areas. Lastly, the kindergarten teachers added in American songs and games. Unfortunately, the times have changed and Froebel's toys are drifting into just a thing of the past. Hoping to engage the imagination and interest of children, our project is the making of wooden blocks.