Kindergarten Narratives on Froebelian Education

This book honours the contribution of Professor Kevin Brehony (1948-2013), an internationally respected Froebelian scholar, through taking up some of the challenges he explored in which historical perspectives can play a role in current debates, informing policies and practices globally. This is achieved through the dialogic spaces created by the authors which interrogate the internal challenges of Froebelian early childhood education as well as the ways in which Froebelians have engaged with the world beyond that framework at different points in history. It makes an exciting read because it has so much to say that is important for policy and practice in early childhood education globally today. * Tina Bruce CBE, Honorary Visiting Professor, University of Roehampton, UK *
This rich collection of new research, written by prominent international scholars in the field of kindergarten history, is a fitting tribute to Professor Kevin Brehony and to the legacy of Friedrich Froebel. President of the International Froebel Society, Professor Brehony’s work was well known and respected within the community of early childhood and kindergarten researchers and educators, and he is remembered as the heart of organized international scholarship on Froebel. Early childhood education continues to be contested terrain and this volume speaks to the core and flexibility of Froebel’s ideas, demonstrating that after 175 years his philosophy and methods remain vital to scholarly and public discourses on best practices. Today, in debates over work or play, child centered or adult centered pedagogies, Froebelian principles still provide a powerful justification for advocates of child-centered learning. These essays represent the fulfilment of Froebel’s own hope, “If only the seed be cast abroad, its springing up will not fail nor the fruit be wanting.” For early childhood scholars, educators, and policy makers especially, these highly textured, transnational case studies of applied Froebelian pedagogy are essential reading. * Roberta Wollons, Professor, University of Massachusetts Boston, USA *
In my opinion, all contributors attempted to highlight core aspects of an educational historical phenomenon, the internationalization of the kindergarten movement, thus successfully contributing to a better understanding and interpretation of contemporary debates concerning the theory and practice in early childhood education. * Historical Studies in Education *
The volume is well worth the effort and covers much new ground. * History of Education *