April 21
KINDERGARTEN DAY
Some things we take for granted, like kindergarten. It’s just the first chance most kids get to attend a formal school, right? Wrong.
A man named Friedrich Froebel actually invented kindergarten. Little Freddie was born on this day in 1782 in Germany. He grew up to become a teacher, author and toy maker.
Friedrich’s experience as an educator led him to the conclusion that playtime can be very instructive; an essential part of a child’s education. He founded the first kindergarten for this purpose in 1837 in Blankenburg, Germany.
This directed playtime led to his invention of a series of toys that were designed to stimulate learning. He called these toys, gifts. The mother of famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright gave her son some of these gifts ... in the form of maple wood blocks. Wright often spoke of the value the gifts had brought him throughout his life.
Nursery school and kindergarten as we know it are the direct results of the influence of Friedrich Froebel. The first public kindergarten in the U.S. was started by Conrad Poppenhusen in College Point, Queens, New York in 1870.
Now put your paper and paste away; it’s time to lie down on your mats.
Those Were the Days, the Today in History service from 440 International
No portion of these files may be reproduced without the express, written permission of 440 International Inc.
