Friedrich Fröbel

With the foundation of the first kindergarten in Bad Blankenburg in 1840, the Thuringian educationalist, Friedrich Fröbel, achieved international fame. 

The word “kindergarten” requires no translation in numerous languages. It unites three inseparable values – work, family and the care of children. Fröbel’s concepts about the education and raising of children were original and modern in his time, and continue to inspire pedagogic thought today.

Fröbel realised that play is a natural way for children to gain knowledge about themselves and the world around them. In Bad Blankenburg, he developed the worldwide-recognised Fröbel “gifts” – the sphere, cylinder and cube, and the building blocks that ensue once the cube is divided. The myriad and variety of the play materials developed by Fröbel encourage children to build and experiment. Fantasy is stimulated, concentration trained and social relationships encouraged.

Fröbel’s life work is lovingly presented in the internationally noted Fröbel Museum in Bad Blankenburg. The museum features regularly changing exhibitions that encourage interaction by both young and old.

Fröbel had a close connection to the landscape, the inhabitants and the traditions of his home, reasons that always enticed him back to Thuringia.

Lasst uns von unsern Kindern lernen;
lasst uns den leisen Mahnungen, den stillen
Forderungen ihres Gemütes Gehör geben!
Lasst uns unsern Kindern leben: so wird
uns unser Kinder Leben Friede und
Freude bringen, so werden wir anfangen
weise zu werden, weise zu sein.                 Friedrich Fröbel

Let us learn from our children;
allow us to lend an ear to the quiet reminders,
the peaceful challenges.
Let us allow our children to live: 
and our children will bring peace and happiness to our lives.
In this way, we will start to become and be wise.                 Friedrich Fröbel