We're pleased to announce this year's Froebel USA National Conference has been scheduled for July 22-25, 2010. The event, entitled Froebel's Method for Today's Child, will be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the downtown facilities of Western Michigan University.
Join us for a 4-day hands-on immersion into the original early childhood methods of Friedrich Froebel, inventor of Kindergarten. Our presenters draw from diverse backgrounds and professions, including authors Norman Brosterman, Cathy Weisman Topal, Froebel teachers Finella Scholtz, Tiffeni Goesel and staff from the Greeley School, and practioners and teacher-trainers from early childhood field. While the rich history of the Kindergarten will be discussed (and experienced through exhibits of historic materials) the emphasis of the conference is on working with children and how Froebel fits in a modern curriculum (in both classroom and homeschool environments).
The content of the workshops will cover all aspects for Froebel's method, including Gift Play, Occupations, Mother Songs and movement games, gardening and nature education. Attendees will observe Gift Plays with children by experienced Froebel teachers and have many opportunities to play themselves.
There will be many opportunities for networking and social interaction with other Froebelians, including a tour of the Meyer May House (a local home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright), the Frederick Meijer Gardens (internationally regarded botanical garden and sculpture museum ... and home to the DaVinci Horse), and the newly completed Grand Rapids Art Museum.
Who should attend? This conference is aimed at a diverse and multidisciplinary audience, including art educators, math teachers, homeschooling parents, early childhood professors and practitioners, educational historians, and others. Attendance is extremely limited and early registration is encouraged.
