Traces the history of kindergartens in Japan. Maintains that the Japanese government embraced the concept and modified it to encourage modernization. Includes 10 photographs of wood block prints showing how Friedrich Froebel's moral lessons were replicated in Japanese settings. (CFR)

A wide variety of kindergarten teacher training programs existed in America during the 50-year period between 1920 and 1970 after Froebel's system was introduced. The most significant reasons for this variety were the sources of knowledge about the system, the ability of its advocates to read idiomatic German, and the basic personality…

An extensive survey was made of personal papers, textbooks, periodicals, and other printed material from the last decades of the nineteenth century to the early years of the twentieth, when the kindergarten movement rose and declined, to answer several questions concerning American Froebelians' cognizance of the influence of Comenius on Friedrich…

Briefly reviews the history of the first kindergarten system in the United States on the occasion of the transformation of the Des Peres School in St. Louis, Missouri, into a museum and library. The transformed facility contains a restored kindergarten classroom, the Susan E. Blow museum, local historical and educational archives, and meeting…

Describes the conference on the history of preschool education held by the Standing International Conference for the History of Education in September 1982 in Budapest and the contribution of the author of the history of preschools in Denmark. (Author/CB)

The history of kindergarten in Japan is described. The first kindergarten was opened by the Department of Education in 1876 to promote Western civilization. Christianity brought both kindergarten and teacher training schools between 1895 and 1906. There are also many Buddhist kindergartens. None of the kindergartens are free or compulsory, and a…

Highlights the histories of some of the oldest child care organizations in the U.S. Since 1806, child care centers have provided relief and education for children, aid to mothers, and assistance to working families. The 50 oldest child care organizations are listed. (SH)

Provides an overview of the history of, and research about, kindergarten. Reviews the nine articles describing research on kindergarten in this special issue. (BC)

This reprint of an encyclopedia article describes the history of kindergarten education through approximately 1940. Kindergarten is defined as "a specialized school adapted to the nature and needs of young children from the fourth to the sixth year." Kindergarten was originated by Friedrich Froebel in Germany around 1840. Froebel's…

The controversy over the contrast between early childhood principles and the commercial exhibits at the 1990 annual meeting of the National Association for the Education of Young Children prompted a search for historical antecedents. Research disclosed that the first popular linking of Froebelian kindergarten curriculum and manufactured equipment…

According to a recent estimate, out of more than four million children between 4 and 6 years of age, less than half a million are enrolled in kindergartens. This condition may be attributed in general to a lack of knowledge of the practical, ethical, and social value of kindergarten education; to the expense of installing a system whose advantages…

This report contains statistics of public and of private kindergartens for the school year 1923-24. Increases appear in the number of kindergartens, number of teachers, and in the number of pupils enrolled, over those reported in 1922. The largest increase is in California, where the kindergarten enrollment increased 29 percent during this…

Lists the 89 oldest child-care centers in the United States and Canada. For each center the list includes organization name, location, current chief executive officer, and date founded. (ET)

A brief biographical account of the life of Elizabeth Byrne Ferm and her work in the Modern School Movement describes her early life; her educational training based on Froebel's ideas; and her development of "free" kindergartens, particularly at the Modern School at Stelton, New Jersey. (SAS)

Much of what later became industrial arts originated with the early kindergarten, based on the principles of Froebel as an educational response to economic hardship and social unrest. Emphasis was on activity and social learning, on teaching children how to work and fostering allegiance to the social system. (SK)