Following the International Froebel Society Conference in the summer, in this episode of The Froebel Trust Podcast we catch up with six Froebelians across the globe on their reflections on Froebelian education. 

Together with presenter Colin Kelly, they explore Froebel's influence throughout history, why Froebelian pedagogy is so important for modern educators and young children today, and how the approach can be used to navigate both modern day and future challenges.

"You're part of a professional community that has succeeded in many places over very long periods of time and often under circumstances that were pretty tricky for all different sorts of reasons. So I think that's important just to know that you're not alone."

Dr. Kristen Nawrotzki 

"Everything about Froebel for myself helps me to meet the needs of my children and helps me to get it right for them and think about what's important for them and put them at the heart of everything we're doing."

Donna Kilpatrick

 "[Froebelian education] is a way of thinking about education that puts the child at the centre that really has a very sound value base that I think offers teachers and educators opportunities to make sense of it as learners in their own right."

Dr Karen Vincent

"I think it's a great contribution to inclusive education too, because in his engagement with educationally disadvantaged children and young people affected by poverty and disability, Froebel is already regarded as a pioneer of inclusion and a school for all, I think."

Dr Andrea Schmid

"One of my favourite phrases, 'life is messy.' [...] it's part of being alive and that makes us human. But if AI starts making everything more predictable, you know. Too much listening, too much coping with children's emotions and over empathising with their every little emotions and eliminating conflicts or failure. Then, I mean can you really call that education?"

Grace Choi

"Early years educators are part of a profession and part of one of the characteristics of a profession is having a common history that becomes, and knowing that becomes part of our professional socialisation and builds community."</s