Friedrich Froebel was a German educator who founded kindergarten and developed theories about the importance of play in children's development. He believed play should involve genuine experiences, physical activity, and engagement with materials in nature. Froebel created gifts and occupations to introduce children to physical forms through play and established the first kindergarten, influencing current early childhood practices like songs, games, and outdoor play that develop children holistically.

1. Fredrick Froebel
By Sarah and Pinar

2. Purpose of Play:
• Froebel viewed the purpose of play as “free-flow play”
• Froebel preferred the child centred approach and many of his ideas
are known as free flow play. He believed children needed genuine
experiences and to be physically active.

3. Over view of his theory:
• Friedrich Froebel, was a German educator and the founder of
“Kindergarten”.
• Froebel believed that humans are productive and creative – and
achievement comes through developing these in harmony with God and
the world. As a result, Froebel wanted to encourage the creation of
educational environments that involved practical work and the direct use
of materials. Through engaging with the world, understanding unfolds.
• His beliefs that a child needs to be active and engaged in play, lead him to
create “Froebel’s gifts and occupations”. The gifts and occupations were
planned to introduce children to the physical forms in nature.

4. How his theory on play informs practice and
enables practitioners to support children’s
development:
• Froebel founded the first kindergarten, which then had an influence
on current practice, as in “kindergarten” (otherwise known as the
children’s garden) today we see the implementation of songs and
games based on the themes that children learn.
• He also saw the importance of outdoor play and natural materials in
the environment. He believed children needed a place where they
could be valued, inspired and helped to flourish. So this is why in
early years setting, outdoor play is encouraged for children.

5. Bibliography
• http://www.journalofplay.org/sites/www.journalofplay.org/files/pdf-
articles/2-1-article-friedrich-froebels-gifts.pdf