Friedrich Froebel, Froebel also spelled Fröbel, in full Friedrich Wilhelm August Froebel, (born April 21, 1782, Oberweissbach, Thuringia, Ernestine Saxony [now in Germany]—died June 21, 1852, Marienthal, near Bad Liebenstein, Thuringia), German educator who was founder of the kindergarten and one of the most influential educational reformers of the 19th century.
His most important contribution to educational theory was his belief in “self-activity” and play as essential factors in child education. The teacher's role was not to drill or indoctrinate the children but rather to encourage their self-expression through play, both individually and in group activities activities.
Froebel believed that practitioners also create the physical environment both indoors and outdoors. They thrive when they are emotionally secure, joyful and in close relationships with others. Which has a huge impact on creating a positive Early Childhood environment.
The following point Froebel believed create a positive Childhood environment:
Wholeness and connectedness – everything links
The interconnectedness of all living things – what we would term ecology today.
Living and learning in harmony with nature
Freedom with guidance.
Open-ended, creative play and exploration
The key role of the adult in observing,
supporting and extending play and learning
Final thought on Friedrich Froebel's theory and how it contributes to a positive classroom environment.
As a teacher it is important to take all school of thoughts as a guide line to form us into being good educators. I believe the Froebel method is the best strategy to use in the classroom to create a positive learning environment. Through interacting with students and getting to know their personalities, an educator uses that information to form the children positive learning environment and getting an idea on how to develop a positive mindset to learning
