Collection 1 - Kindergarten Teacher Training collection

Identity area

Reference code

CA OTUED 1

Title

Kindergarten Teacher Training collection

Date(s)

  • 1894-1992 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

1 m of textual records

Context area

Name of creator

(1894-[19--])

Administrative history

The OISE Library's Kindergarten Teacher Training Collection documents the Frobelian approach to teaching kindergarten, employed in Ontario in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, following the teachings of German education theorist Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852). Froebel’s approach to early childhood education consisted of two parts: “Gifts,” which consisted of 10 types of wooden objects for children to interact and play with, and “Occupations,” which were activities designed to develop a child’s skill and creativity. These Occupations included perforating, sewing, drawing, weaving, paper cutting, and paper folding. The Gifts and Occupations were to be presented to children in sequence, gradually building on one another. Froebel believed that this would ground children in the world around them and provide them with a solid foundation for later schooling.

Froebel’s method of early childhood education was introduced to Ontario schools in the late 1800s. By the early 1900s, Froebel’s method was formally part of the kindergarten curriculum. Children aged 4-7 were presented with Gifts and the Occupations, including sewing, drawing, folding, cutting, and weaving. Froebel’s Gifts and Occupations remained a distinct part of the kindergarten classroom into the 1930s.

Repository

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Collection was created by OISE Library staff along with Dr. Barbara Corbett over the course of a number of years, through donations made by various donors. Several of these donors have been identified at the series or item level.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

The collection contains materials related to Froebelian kindergarten education, practiced in Ontario in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Materials include sample workbooks demonstrating Froebel's Occupations, teachers' lesson books, certificates, and photographs. The collection also includes donation paperwork to provide more context about the creation of the collection.

The collection has been arranged into series based on creator.

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Accruals

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Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Many of the books in this collection are in fragile condition and should be handled with care.

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