Using the Froebelian approach to articulate your practice

Publication date

11 March 2024

Author

Dr Stella Louis provides an overview around the grounding elements of the Froebelian approach. This includes unity and connectedness, observations and the role of the adult. The key messages are: starting from the child by observing what they already know and can do, having a good understanding of children's development and focusing on how children learn rather than what children learn. 

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Using the Froebelian approach to articulate your practice

Episode break down

00:00 – Unity and connectedness: Building on what children CAN do and already know

04:06 – Educational resources: Froebel’s gifts and occupations

07:58 – The mother songs: Froebel’s biggest contribution

10:43 – Physical development through the mother songs

13:00 – Childhood is a stage within its own right

16:15 – The role of the nurturing adult

19:26 – Real, tangible, first hand experiences

20:44 – Thinking beyond children’s interests

24:10 – Respecting the process and not just focusing on the outcome

25:48 – Teachable moments come from knowing the child and community

28:35 – Knowledge of child development in curriculum building

30:06 – A summary of this episode 

31:55 – Dr Stella Louis’ new book: Let’s talk about race in the early years

We all have biases and our biases, whether conscious or not, can prevent us from teaching and supporting children equitably. We cannot turn a blind eye to this, no matter how uncomfortable it may feel to tackle the difficult questions.

Let’s Talk About Race in the Early Years By Stella Louis, Hannah Betteridge

This groundbreaking book is a must-read for all early years professionals working with babies, toddlers, young children, and their families. Its practical and accessible guidance provides the tools and techniques you need to identify and confront discriminatory practices, with strategies to break down barriers and tackle these complicated issues sensitively and constructively. Reflective questions facilitate active engagement with a wealth of case studies and encourage you to evaluate your own practice. Each chapter builds your confidence and ability to create dynamic and anti-racist learning environments that embrace and celebrate difference and will ensure your setting fosters a positive sense of identity and belonging.

Let’s Talk About Race in the Early Years gives practitioners the language and tools they need to create an environment where all children can shine and is essential reading for all early years professionals.

About the author

  • Freelance trainer, writer, Froebel Trust lead tutor

    Dr Stella Louis is a freelance early years consultant. She originally trained as a NNEB nursery nurse and has thirty years’ experience of working with children and families. For the last ten years she has been involved in training educators and is particularly interested in observation and its part in supporting learning, development and teaching.

    Stella leads a small team of Froebelian travelling tutors – promoting, developing and delivering the Froebel Trust Short Courses.

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