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From Seed To Mighty Tree: Susan Blow And The Development Of The American Kindergarten Movement, Madelyn Silber

Undergraduate Theses—Unrestricted

St. Louis is home to the first continuously running public kindergarten in the United States. In 1873, Susan Blow began teaching a small group of students at the Des Peres School using the methods of German educator Friedrich Froebel, “the father of the kindergarten.” Despite the rejection of Froebel’s ideas in Germany, Blow studied his pedagogy and implemented his curriculum into classrooms in America. Her first class was known as the kindergarten “experiment,” which would later become a standard in schools across the nation. Froebel’s kindergarten curriculum was unique because it was based on learning through play, an understanding of …

Froebel's Legacy, Kathleen A. Strub-Richards

Kathleen A Strub-Richards

When Froebel was growing up in the late eighteenth century, young children under the age of seven didn't attend school. There was no general education curriculum geared toward young children and no socially recognized value in attempting to teach them (Brosterman, 1997). Friedrich Froebel, through his experience with young children, was the first to see that “constructive, directed” play was extremely beneficial for children under the age of seven. Froebel was greatly influenced by the Swiss educator, Pestalozzi, and Girard, whose ideas, including the training of teachers, methods of observation and hands before books learning , were very revolutionary for …

Froebel's Legacy, Kathleen A. Strub-Richards

Kathleen A Strub-Richards

When Froebel was growing up in the late eighteenth century, young children under the age of seven didn’t attend school. There was no general education curriculum geared toward young children and no socially recognized value in attempting to teach them (Brosterman, 1997). Friedrich Froebel, through his experience with young children, was the first to see that “constructive, directed” play was extremely beneficial for children under the age of seven. Froebel was greatly influenced by the Swiss educator, Pestalozzi, and Girard, whose ideas, including the training of teachers, methods of observation and hands before books learning , were very revolutionary for …

The Montessori Method And The Kindergarden, Elizabeth Harrison

Elizabeth Harrison’s Writings

Report commissioned in 1914 by the U.S. Bureau of Education on a study of Dr. Maria Montessori's schools in Italy, by Miss Elizabeth Harrison. Describes Maria Montessori's contribution to the education of young children and compares her methods with that of the Froebelian Kindergarten method.

Two Children Of The Foothills, Elizabeth Harrison

Elizabeth Harrison’s Writings

Preface:

If this record of a happy year spent with two children will help to make some other woman study more earnestly Froebel's great book I shall be satisfied. To any in whose heart it may awaken this impulse I would recommend Mr. Denton J. Snider's "Mother's-Play-Songs", and Miss Susan E. Blow's "Letters to a Mother" from both of which books I have been permitted to quote freely. I wish also to acknowledge my obligations to D. Appleton and Company for their courtesy in allowing me avail myself of the illustrations from their "Mottos and Commentaries of Froebel's Mother-Play-Book", which …

How Shall We Best Conserve Our Nation's Moral Forces, Elizabeth Harrison

Elizabeth Harrison’s Writings

"What are the moral resources of a nation? Is not the greatest of these character? Say what we will, deep down in the heart of each and everyone of us we know that material prosperity is not the highest form of success..."

-Elizabeth Harrison

Misunderstood Children: Sketches Taken From Life, Elizabeth Harrison

Elizabeth Harrison’s Writings

Book Contents: Sammie's Prayer, The Boy Who Hated School, Little Mary, The Twins, For Father's Amusement, A Sunday Morning Diversion, A Geography Lesson, The Sand-Pile, A Shop Scene, Jack and the Alley Boys, The Boy and the Scarlet Coat, Katie MacMahon, A Starved Soul, Daughters of Men, Herbert at His Grandmother's, Gertrude's Story, Miss Eleanor's Garden

Some Evolutions In Kindergarten Work, Elizabeth Harrison

Elizabeth Harrison’s Writings

In this address delivered to the International Kindergarten Union at Pittsburgh, PA, Harrison discusses the expansion of Kindergarten thought and examines some previous evolutions of the field, which include: mother-play books, self-expression through play (particularly by way of rhythmic use of the body as a means of obtaining self-control), Froebel Gifts, and Occupations. Includes sequences for selected Gifts.

Originally published in Kindergarten Review, November 1903

The Kindergarten Building Gifts, Elizabeth Harrison, Belle Woodsen

Elizabeth Harrison’s Writings

From the introduction of The Kindergarten Building Gifts:

To refuse to pass judgment upon a subject not yet understood is one of the surest evidences of the cultured mind. It is, therefore, with a feeling of confidence that the kindergartners ask the rest of the educational world to first understand Froebel's aim in creating the kindergarten Play-Gifts and see whether or not they fulfill the purpose in which they were made.

No one can easily comprehend Froebel without understanding his idea of the meaning of life. Over and over again he has stated that the chief end of education …

A Study Of Child-Nature: From The Kindergarten Standpoint, Elizabeth Harrison

Elizabeth Harrison’s Writings

These talks for mothers and teachers were given before my classes in Chicago and elsewhere. They are now published at the earnest request of the members of those classes, and are nearly in the same form as when given, which accounts for the number of anecdotes illustrating different points, as well as the frequency of personal reminiscence. Fully aware of their many defects, but knowing well that "charity covereth a multitude of sins", I give them with a loving heart to the mothers of America. I hope that the thought underlying them will be as helpful to others in the …

The Kindergarten As An Influence In Modern Civilization, Elizabeth Harrison

Elizabeth Harrison’s Writings

In this opening lecture given before the Mothers' Department of the Chicago Kindergarten College, Harrison argues that education is no longer "a process by means of which facts are accumulated, but all thoughtful teachers now look upon it as preparation for the future." She also discusses Froebel's theories.

Relationship Between The Kindergarten And Great Literature: Shakespeare, Elizabeth Harrison

Elizabeth Harrison’s Writings

Harrison discusses how Shakespeare's use of environment sheds light on character building. She describes how through his work, he displays " clear insight into the magnitude of the ethical world, the duty of each individual to consider himself as a necessary portion of a might whole" (pg. 13). Harrison also makes comparisons Froebel's ideas through Shakespeare's work.

Relationship Between The Kindergarten And Great Literature: Homer, Elizabeth Harrison

Elizabeth Harrison’s Writings

Harrison discusses how the study of Kindergarten focuses on the influence of environment and the evolution in character. She compares the work of Homer as being relevant to Kindergarten thought due to his depictions of institutions that have grown out of human relationships.

The Root Of The Temperance Question, Elizabeth Harrison

Elizabeth Harrison’s Writings

Elizabeth Harrison discusses the importance of a healthy body and strong moral will power, and how to instill this thought process unto children.