Education in Different Cultures

Learning in Germany

Did you go to kindergarten? Did you ever wonder why it was called by that funny-sounding name, "kindergarten"?

Garden of Children In 1837, German education pioneer Friedrich Fröbel started the first kindergarten, which means "garden of children," as a place where pre-school-aged children could learn, play, and grow together. Many Germans scoffed at his ideas, but over time the kindergarten concept proved to work. Today, kindergarten is available to German children between ages 3-6. Germany has exceptional education, and school is required for children from age 6-15. Most Germans study English, and don't be surprised if they seem to speak it better than you do!

"Children are like tiny flowers; they are varied and need care, but each is beautiful alone and glorious when seen in the community of peers." ~ Friedrich Fröbel

Kindergarten came to the Americas in 1856 (Watertown, Wisconsin), with Margarethe Schurz, a German immigrant. Eventually, many private kindergartens and nursery schools developed in North America, and kindergarten was adopted by many school systems.

Interested in working in child education or travel?
Here's some programs that might help you develop that interest: early childhood education; tourism & travel; graduate degrees in teaching; and online language courses.

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By Randall Shirley
Contributing Writer to World Wide Learn. © 2005. All Rights Reserved.