Podar Institute of Education offers an inspirational early childhood teacher course that narrates the life and work of pioneer Friedrich Froebel, the founder of the first kindergarten and the inventor of play-based learning.
By applying Froebel's principles and practices on modern-day early childhood education courses, this course aims to provide educators with a valuable framework for understanding and implementing effective teaching methods for young children.
Froebel's fresh approach towards early childhood education emphasised the importance of childhood as a foundational stage of life, rather than merely preparing children for adulthood. He believed that education should be holistic, involving physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual development of children.
Froebel also emphasised the significance of play as a more natural and essential way for children to learn.
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Aimed as a child-centred approach to early childhood education, Froebel's kindergarten positioned play the most fundamental learning tool. It stems from Froebel's philosophy of promoting unity, generating interest about nature, and encouraging self-activity among young children.
Froebel had formed a unique pedagogy with 'mother songs' and mother play, intended to emphasise on maternal figures playing a key role in fostering various aspects of child development, including emotional growth, social interactions, and understanding the world. These aspects align with modern-day education's belief of encouraging individuality in young children by letting their personality develop more naturally.
Froebel developed a series of educational objects that he called 'gifts' designed to encourage children to explore and create. He also came up with several activities, calling them 'occupations', such as modelling clay, drawing, paper folding, and more, promoting practical skills to bring out latent creativity and intellectual abilities in children.
Froebel believed that not just teachers but parents too, play a significant role in children's education. Teachers can work as a team with parents as they share a common goal of bringing out the best in their children. By providing proper guidance and support, teachers and parents can cultivate a strong culture at school and home during those early days, ensuring good upbringing for young children.
Froebel's philosophy largely centred around the overall development in children through play support and intervention by grown-ups. He believed that teachers need to be well educated and trained with relevant practical skills to support holistic child development. As a result, Froebel's ideas led to reforms in early childhood education courses and teacher training courses.
Froebel's philosophy also stresses on the fact that young children should experience all of nature, including plants, animals, birds, and the environment. One of the best ways to get them to connect with nature is by letting them play outside in a garden or park. These experiences provide more opportunities of play and exploration to young children.
Course students are trained to utilise Froebel Gifts for encouraging children to develop pre-coding skills, starting at a young age. These screen-free coding tools bring out creativity in children and help them develop hands-on experiences, which makes learning more meaningful and fun.