Early Education and the Froebel Trust are delighted to announce a new partnership to enable early years practitioners to develop their understanding of Froebelian principles. The Froebel Trust promotes the continuing value in the twenty-first century of the following principles to the education and learning of children up to the age of eight:
- the integrity of childhood in its own right
- the relationship of every child to family, community and to nature, culture and society
- the uniqueness of every child’s capacity and potential
- the holistic nature of the development of every child
- the role of play and creativity as central integrating elements in development and learning
- the right of children to protection from harm or abuse and to the promotion of their overall wellbeing
Many of Froebel’s ideas have already become part of mainstream practice, but practitioners have often encountered them piecemeal, without understanding the underlying principles which underpin them. The short courses are therefore designed to help participants understand and place their practice in a Froebelian framework so that it has inner logic and consistency of approach without being rigid.
The programme of courses is made up of a mandatory two-day introductory course introducing the principles and practice of a Froebelian approach to early childhood education. In addition, four optional courses can be taken to explore in more detail topics such as Froebel’s “Gifts” (blockplay) and “Occupations” (workshop experiences); nature and outdoor learning; play, representation and the expressive arts; and song, finger play and action songs.
The courses are delivered by specially trained Froebel Trust-endorsed Travelling Froebel Tutors. The pilot of the courses with Yellow Dot Nurseries was written up in a six part series in Nursery World. Jane Dyke of Yellow Dot said:
“The Froebel Pilot course has reignited my passion for Early Years, it has helped me to articulate 'the why' and deepen my understanding of child development. The course has enabled me to lead my team with clearer pedagogical principles, tighter focus and greater enthusiasm. ‘Life, Knowledge and Beauty’ is our refrain and Froebelian litmus test. We are on a journey to enable our nursery environment and team to be 'active, meaningful and engaging', where children can grow and learn at their own pace, with adults who understand their development and cultivate their learning - we are on a journey to be Fabulously Froebelian!”
Gillian Morris, Chief Executive of The Froebel Trust said:
“This course was developed by The Froebel Trust with our experienced Frobelian partners in response to requests from leading practitioners for short practically focussed local courses. We are delighted that Early Education is supporting us in making these courses widely accessible and value the expertise that they bring.”
Beatrice Merrick, Chief Executive of Early Education, said:
“We are excited to be partnering with Froebel Trust to deliver this carefully developed programme of courses. We know that practitioners will welcome the opportunity to reflect on their practice and embed core Froebelian principles in their provision. As two charities with very similar values and aims, we want to bring high quality affordable professional development opportunities to early years practitioners wherever they are in the country, and the Travelling Froebel Tutors will do exactly that.”
More information about the courses can be found at www.early-education.org.uk/froebel
For press enquiries please contact Beatrice Merrick, Chief Executive, Early Education
1. Early Education (The British Association for Early Childhood Education) is the leading independent national charity for early years practitioners and parents, campaigning for the right of all children to education of the highest quality. Founded in 1923, it has members in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and provides a national voice on matters that relate to effective early childhood education and care of young children from birth to eight. The organi