Family

'Protect the new generation: do not let them grow up into emptiness and nothingness, to the avoidance of good hard work, to introspection and analyzation without deeds, or to mechanical actions without thought and consideration. Guide the young away from the harmful chase after outer things and the damaging passion for distraction.'
Friedrich Froebel

Having moved to live with his uncle, Froebel's life changed significantly. He developed a new vision of family life and he began to see that family relationships could be based on love. This was surprisingly uncommon during Froebel's era, family relationships were not close and loving, and there tended to be a distance between child and parent, husband and wife. Froebel believed that children were born innocent and it is experience within society that corrupts them.

Froebel, having had little interaction, play or love as a child, turns completely against his upbringing. He advocates that 'play' is crucial in a child's development, and yet never played as a child himself. Froebel regularly emphasises this message, particularly to all adults, who have an important role to play in raising a child.

Children learn from the moment they are born and Froebel encourages mothers to observe and note what their children as doing. He created 'Mother Songs' - songs and finger games that families could use to interact and learn with their child.

It is interesting to see that, although society has changed since the time of Froebel, there are still families that function similar to that of the 17th century. Interesting, factors including the credit crunch, inflation and tax, have had a huge impact on the family model. More often than not parents now have to both work full time jobs in order to upkeep a certain standard of living. Changed times from even 20 years ago when the majority of women would be the homemakers and take care of the children. You only have to look at recent birth statistics to see that women are now choosing to have children much later in life, primarily to focus on their career.

I reflect on my childhood with great fondness, remembering the time spent with my Mum and my Dad painting, playing, singing, dancing and so much more. I know that these experiences will impact on how I interact with children, and yet I am left wondering if the role of a Nursery teacher is now that different to a mother?