Episode 17: A Froebelian Path in Bewildering Times

Episode 17: A Froebelian Path in Bewildering Times

This special episode of the Froebel Trust Podcast was recorded at the Trust's 2025 Conference, Inspiring Early Learning.

During this episode Presenter Colin Kelly hears from Jane Whinnett as she presents her keynote speech, a Froebelian Path in Bewildering Times.

Through Jane's speech, this episode explores Froebel's ideas, the resurgence of academic interest in his teaching, and the relevance of Froebelian principles and practice today.

"[Froebel's] views of training and women becoming educators was ridiculed in his time and yet these ideas have become foundations of current early childhood education and care today."

A transcript of this episode is available at: froebel.org.uk/training-and-resources/podcast

Guests appearing in this episode:

Jane Whinnett MBE started studying Froebel in 2005 at the University of Roehampton. She was previously the head teacher of two Edinburgh Nursery Schools and now tutors at the University of Edinburgh where she contributes to two courses: Froebel in Childhoos Practice and MSc Education: Early Childhood Practice and Froebel pathway.

Jane is also an Endorsed Froebel Travelling Tutor who teaches the Froebel Trust's Short Courses (https://www.froebel.org.uk/training-a...) and Online Course (https://www.froebel.org.uk/training-a...) . In 2019, Jane received an MBE from HRH The Prince of Wales for services to early education. She and her co-authors were also awarded the 2021 Nursery World Professional Book Award for Putting Storytelling at the Heart of Early Childhood Practice [Bruce, McNair and Whinnett Eds. 2020, Routledge].

During Episode 17, Jane refers to the following resources and courses for educators, including:

Courses:
Froebel in Childhood Practice Course (https://education-sport.ed.ac.uk/prof...) at the University of Edinburgh

MSc Education: Early Childhood Practice and Froebel pathway (https://education-sport.ed.ac.uk/stud...) at the University of Edinburgh

Froebel Certificate in Early Childhood (https://www.roehampton.ac.uk/study/sh...) at the University of Roehampton.

Early Childhood Studies (MA) at the University of Roehampton (https://www.roehampton.ac.uk/study/po...)

Articles,books and resources:

Bruce, T., (2021) Friedrich Froebel A Critical Introduction to key Themes and Ideas London: Bloomsbury (https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/friedri...)

Bruce, T., McNair, L., Whinnett, J., (2023) Putting Storytelling at the Heart of Early Childhood Practice Abingdon: Routledge (https://www.routledge.com/Putting-Sto...)

Bruce, T., (2023) Empowering learning: play, symbols and creativity (https://www.froebel.org.uk/uploads/do...) London: Froebel Trust (https://www.froebel.org.uk/uploads/do...)

Colliles, S., Play and Inclusion https://www.froebel.org.uk/about-us/t...

Imray, S., Thomson, T., and Whinnett, J., (2023) A Froebelian approach to sewing with young children London: Froebel Trust (https://www.froebel.org.uk/uploads/do...)

Lilley, I. M., (1967) Friedrich Froebel A Selection from his Writings London: Cambridge University Press (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Friedrich-Fr...)

Louis, S., (2022) A Froebelian approach to observing young children London Froebel Trust (https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...)

Manning-Morton, J., (2024) From Birth to Three An Early Years Educator's Handbook (https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/m...) Abingdon: Routledge

May, H., (2006) 'Being Froebelian': An Antipodean analysis of the history of advocacy and early childhood in History of Education, (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/...) 35(2) pp.245-262

McNair, L.J., Learning from our children The story of Eilidh in Bruce, T., Nishida, Y., Powell, S., Wasmuth, H., and Whinnett, J.,(eds) (2024) Bloomsbury Handbook to Friedrich Froebel (https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/bloomsb....