Official Ceremony, Fröbel Conference, Festival of Play
Some 175 years ago, on June 28th, 1840, Friedrich Wilhelm August Fröbel grounded the first General Germany Kindergarten (Allgemeinen Deutschen Kindergarten) in Bad Blankenburg.
The descriptive term “kindergarten”, connected with his pedagogic programme for early childhood education, earned Fröbel international fame. His doctrine on the theory and practice of kindergarten led worldwide to wide-reaching changes in the teaching of young children. For this reason, Friedrich Fröbel is considered one of the classic innovators in early childhood education.
The model of kindergarten as a new cultural form that unites work, family, childcare and teaching is a reflection of the time in which it was grounded, as well as a modern and relevant idea that continues to stimulate pedagogic thinking today. Fröbel’s great achievement was recognising that play is the best way for children to learn about themselves and the world.
The Fröbel Conference, June 26-28, 2015, provides an opportunity to compare Fröbel’s kindergarten with the institutional and conceptual range of daycare centres that exist today.
What is so special about Fröbel’s philosophy? Can an idea from the 19th century still be relevant today? What role did and does kindergarten play in education, politics, the economy and the emancipation of women? At the Fröbel Conference, the great educationalist’s legacy will be acknowledged within presentations, workshops and discussions.
On June 26th, a precursory festival event will be held at the site of Fröbel’s first kindergarten, the Town Hall Chamber in Bad Blankenburg.
In Fröbel tradition, the 175th birthday of kindergarten will be celebrated on Sunday, June 28th, with a Festival of Play at the Bad Blankenburg Kindergarten. Members of the public are most welcome to attend the festival.
Event Organisers
Pestalozzi Fröbel Association, Berlin
International Froebel Society Germany e.V., Kassel
Friedrich Fröbel Museum, Bad Blankenburg
Fröbel Conference
Evangelisches Allianzhaus
Esplanade 5-10a, 07422 Bad Blankenburg
Telephone: 036741 210
E-Mail: info@allianzhaus.de
Further information about the Fröbel Conference can be found in the Conference Flyer (including programme, registration, costs, childcare, directions and accommodation).
Download: Conference Flyer (abridged)
The event is sponsored by the Thuringia State Chancellery and supported by the Fröbel Network Bad Blankenburg.
Project Development: Thuringia Hiking Academy e.V. and the Pestalozzi Fröbel Association Berlin.