Making Classic Toys That Teach: Step-by-Step Instructions for Building Froebel's Iconic Developmental Toys

The Froebel Gifts are the world's first educational toys developed by Friedrich Froebel in the early 1800s. They are intricate playthings that have influenced art, design, popular culture, and education over the last 180 years. Doug Stowe presents the history and benefits of each gift, along with step-by-step instruction on how to build them. The Gifts are part of a trend of more focused playtime and creative thinking for younger children to help them make connections about the world around them.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 22 June 2023
Publisher: Blue Hills Press

The Froebel Gifts, considered one of the world's first educational toys, were developed by Friedrich Froebel, the inventor of Kindergarten, in the early 1800s. These seemingly simple playthings represent a sophisticated approach to child development. Over the past 180 years, the Froebel Gifts have had a profound impact, becoming intertwined with the history of art, design, popular culture, and education. They have inspired and influenced renowned figures such as Maria Montessori, Rudolf Steiner, Frank Lloyd Wright, Albert Einstein, Kandinsky, Klee, and Mattel, who used them in designing Tinker Toys, Color Cubes, and Unit Blocks.

In his book, "Making Classic Toys That Teach," Doug Stowe, a professional woodworker and teacher, delves into the history and valuable benefits of each Froebel Gift. He provides step-by-step instructions on how to build each toy and the box to hold them. The 10 Froebel Gifts include:

1. Balls of yarn: These introduce color, shape, and motion to children.
2. Sphere, cylinder, and cubes on a hanging device: These help develop hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness.
3. Divided cube building blocks: These encourage children to build and solve puzzles.
4. Rectangular blocks: These provide opportunities for children to practice building and stacking.
5. Wooden cubes and triangular blocks: These encourage children to develop fine motor skills and pattern recognition.
6. Geometric building blocks in various shapes: These stimulate children's imagination and creativity.
7. Colorful geometric shapes: These provide a visual feast for children and help them develop color recognition.
8. Sticks and rings: These encourage children to practice fine motor skills and develop coordination.
9. Points (small colorful objects like beads) that can be connected to create dotted lines, etc.: These help children develop pattern recognition and fine motor skills.
10. Framework in the form of fiddlesticks or tinker toys: These provide a foundation for children to create their own structures and objects.

As the backlash against our overly technological world grows, the philosophy of Froebel and an understanding of the value of his Gifts are becoming increasingly relevant. More and more parents and educators are recognizing the importance of focused playtime and creative thinking for younger children. The Froebel Gifts offer a way to foster these skills and help children make connections on their own regarding the world around them.

In conclusion, the Froebel Gifts are a timeless treasure that has left an indelible mark on the world of education and play. They continue to inspire and inform the work of educators, artists, and designers, and their impact can be seen in the toys and games that children play today. By building and playing with these gifts, children can develop essential skills, foster creativity, and build a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Weight: 402g
Dimension: 201 x 254 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781951217082