Activities per year
Abstract
Spirituality is a multi-layered, contested but also under-researched area in the Froebelian literature. This documentary research aims to explore the role of spirituality in early childhood pedagogy from a Froebelian perspective by attempting to link the historical and contemporary thinking. Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852) highlighted the importance of spirituality focusing on the concept of Unity, the interconnectivity between the child, humanity, nature, divinity and the unknown worlds (Froebel, 1840; Froebel, 1887; Froebel, 1899; Bruce, 1987; Liebschner 1992; Brehony, 2001; Read, 2006; Tovey, 2013; Wasmuth, 2020; Bruce 2021). Contemporary research highlights spirituality as an integral part of human development and as an important way of human connectedness, which transcends religious-secular boundaries (Adams, Bull and Maynes, 2016; Best, 2016). It is acknowledged that nurturing children’s spiritual development is an important but complex matter (Best, 2000; Stockinger, 2019).
The discontinuity between Froebel’s writing and Froebelian interpretation of Froebel’s work including the Revisionist (Brehony 2000; Nawrotzki, 2006) and contemporary Froebelians might have led to difficulty in gaining a comprehensive understanding of spirituality in the Froebelian tradition. However alternative thinking of spirituality clearly resonates with the important role of a Froebelian approach to spirituality in supporting children’s holistic learning and wellbeing. This documentary research cannot emphasise enough the significance of a Froebelian perspective in mitigating pressures from neoliberalism driven by accountability and performativity on childhood experience (Moss and Dahlberg, 2008; Ball, 2021) and enhancing practitioners’ professionalism in working with children, families and communities during and beyond unprecedented times of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The discontinuity between Froebel’s writing and Froebelian interpretation of Froebel’s work including the Revisionist (Brehony 2000; Nawrotzki, 2006) and contemporary Froebelians might have led to difficulty in gaining a comprehensive understanding of spirituality in the Froebelian tradition. However alternative thinking of spirituality clearly resonates with the important role of a Froebelian approach to spirituality in supporting children’s holistic learning and wellbeing. This documentary research cannot emphasise enough the significance of a Froebelian perspective in mitigating pressures from neoliberalism driven by accountability and performativity on childhood experience (Moss and Dahlberg, 2008; Ball, 2021) and enhancing practitioners’ professionalism in working with children, families and communities during and beyond unprecedented times of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | English |
Publication status | Unpublished - 10 Feb 2022 |
Event | Centre for Learning, Teaching and Human Development webinar, School of Education, University of Roehampton - University of Roehampton Duration: 10 Feb 2022 → 10 Feb 2022 https://www.roehampton.ac.uk/research-centres/centre-for-learning-teaching-and-human-development/events/spirituality-in-early-childhood-pedagogy-a-froebelian-perspective/ |
Seminar
Seminar | Centre for Learning, Teaching and Human Development webinar, School of Education, University of Roehampton |
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Period | 10/02/22 → 10/02/22 |
Internet address |
Keywords
- Froebelian literature, documentary research, unity, spirituality, holistic learning, wellbeing, Froebelian confusion, Froebelian mist/mystery
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Nurturing spirituality in early childhood workshop
Tang, F. (Advisor)
16 Aug 2023Activity: Public engagement and outreach › Public speaking engagements
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Children’s spiritual development through play during the Covid-19 pandemic: a Froebelian perspective
Tang, F. (Speaker)
23 Aug 2022 → 25 Aug 2022Activity: Talk or presentation for an academic audience › Oral presentation for an academic audience
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Early Childhood Education for Sustainability: Research, Practice and Policy
Tang, F., 15 Sept 2023, (Accepted/In press) Emerald.Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review
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Spirituality in early childhood pedagogy: a Froebelian lens on the role of women in a Chinese context
Tang, F. & Zhao, J., 30 Nov 2023, The Bloomsbury Handbook to Friedrich Froebel. Bruce, T., Nishida, Y., Powell, S., Wasmuth, H. & Whinnett, J. (eds.). London: Bloomsbury, p. 372-380 9 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review