From TCNEWS
As the global village observed the year 2024 National Kindergarten Day, a sociocultural organization known as Igbo Vanguard Group, IVG has called on the critical stakeholders to help position Igbo children psychologically to understand that the fact that learning and speaking Igbo language is not a taboo.
The President General of the Organization, Engr. Dr. James Nnadozie Uchegbuo who spoke with our correspondent in Umuahia, Abia State, lamented that most Igbo parents rare teach or interact with their children in their mother tongue, a situation he said is negatively affecting the identity of the Igbos.
Engr. Uchegbuo who suggested a catch-them- young approach to save the situation, maintained that studying Igbo language does not make an Igbo child a lesser human being.
The IVG PG who also observed that curiosity is so important, and kindergarten teaches children that questions can be answered, further observed also that Kindergarten helps children to express and explore their creativity, and also teach them to ask questions and learn the answers to the things they don’t know.
He therefore enjoined all sons and daughters of Igbo to embrace the vision of reinventing Igbo studies and transforming Igboland.
National Kindergarten Day celebrates is credited to Johann Friedrich Oberlin, born on the 21st April.
In 1779, it became apparent to the young Oberlin that there were many children in his Strasbourg community that were left alone during the day while their parents were away dealing with their other responsibilities. He and Louis Scheppler got together to create the first kindergarten, a school aimed at taking these children and teaching them during these hours.
Kindergarten comes from a mid-19th century German word which translates to mean “children’s garden.” Frobel believed that young children learn best when they are able to freely explore their own interests, and we can see that belief evident in the numerous activities like singing, dancing, and creative play in kindergarten today.
This set a precedent that was soon emulated the world over, first in 1780 in Bavaria, and then in Detmoid in 1802 by Princess Pauline zur Lippe. In 1816 Robert Owen founded the first one in New Lanark, Scotland, and then in 1819 Samuel Wilderspin pushed the idea in earnest, creating one in London, and then hundreds more to follow.
Friedrich Frobel was a visionary who believed in preserving and encouraging the magic and wonder in children. His philosophies on encouraging play and interest-based learning are still groundbreaking today. His life story and passion to start kindergarten are fascinating and spending time learning about his life can help us to appreciate our children and see things from their perspective more often.