Early Childhood Practice: Froebel today - Hardcover

'This is an important book. The close-knit Froebel network provides a marvellous example of how practitioners in the early years can be inspired by tradition without becoming old-fashioned. Froebel's principles and practices were radical for their time, and changed education forever: this book powerfully brings them up to the minute, reminding us of their continued relevance'
- Julian Grenier, Early Years Adviser, Tower Hamlets

'If you would like to be inspired by tradition, without becoming 'old fashioned', and you believe in children truly being allowed to be children, then this terrific book full of fantastic Froebelian principles is just right for you!'
Martine Horvath, Early Years Educator

'It’s the perfect time to welcome this new book, with its strong emphasis on play and on the outdoors – both central to Froebel’s philosophy and to children’s well-being today'
-Community Playthings

'The importance of this book was recognised when it won Nursery World's Staff Resources award earlier this year'
- Nursery World

This stimulating book brings together contributions from distinguished practitioners, who demonstrate how they have used educational methods advocated by Froebel in contemporary settings. Stressing the importance of outdoor play, they explore the Froebelian principles of:

- Play

- Learning through firsthand experience

- Parent partnership and community in early childhood

- Practitioners supporting children's interests and learning

- Finger rhymes and action songs

- Movement

- The garden and forests

- Wooden blockplay

- Use of clay, paint, junk modelling, construction kits

The book emphasises how learning and the application of knowledge become possible through play. It contrasts the Froebel approach with the methods such as Montessori, Steiner and recent approaches to play such as post-Modern 'playfulness'. This book is relevant to undergraduate and postgraduate students of Early Childhood Education, as well as students following QTS and EYPS, PGCE, CPD and BEd courses.

Tina Bruce CBE is an Honorary Visiting Professor in Early Childhood at the University of Roehampton.