A book explores the kindergarten method of nurturing children through nature, songs, plays and yarns
Dr Swati Popat Vats
Rarely ever are we reminded that technology is a bane than a boon, especially in the hands of a toddler. Too busy sometimes, parents get Alexa to do the job of playing a nursery rhyme or a Bollywood number to keep them busy. Their new toys are not clay, dough or blocks, but tablets and smartphones. A book like Once Upon a Gift (The Write Place; Rs 249) by educationist and childhood activist Dr Swati Popat Vats and journalist Nasrin Modak-Siddiqi, thus, couldn’t have come at a better time to remind us how these new easy-peasy distractions are hampering children’s development.
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The book, in effect, explores the kindergarten method, founded by Friedrich Frobel (1782-1852), a German pedagogue who “recognised children’s unique needs and capabilities”.
The authors take great pains to tell us the backstory of Frobel and his early years, and how the educationist’s concept of kindergarten evolved. Frobel believed in many things—our present idea of the kindergarten is probably far removed from it—including, having kids learn amidst nature, which he likened to a spiritual activity, and how teachers and parents can be great nurturers, who can introduce them to everyday objects through action songs and plays. Frobel believed that simple objects (he called them gifts) like yarns, blocks and sticks, opened up the world for children, making them aware of shapes and spatial relationships. Vats and Siddiqi attempt to create a portrait of this more authentic and traditional version of learning. For those of you with kids at home, this book might do a whole lot of good.
Nasrin Modak-Siddiqi
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