Webinar: Freedom with Guidance with Dr Helge Wasmuth

NOTE: A free recording of this event is now available to watch and share via our webinar and film library.

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“Freedom with guidance” is a key component in Froebelian pedagogy. However, the question arises: What were Froebel’s authentic thoughts on this concept, where can one find remarks, how did Froebel envision it, and what does it mean for today’s practice?

During this 60 minute webinar, Dr Wasmuth will discuss these questions by referring to one of Froebel’s most important letters from the late kindergarten period, the letter to Max Leidesdorf from March 21, 1846.

By doing that, it will become clearer how Froebel envisioned the idea of “Freedom with guidance” as an essential part of his educational theory, and how it can help today to reflect on early childhood education. The discussion will be chaired by Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor, Jane Whinnett, MBE.

Thursday 19 June 2025
7pm to 8pm

This Froebel Trust event is for all those who work with young children in schools and early years settings - as well as leaders, policy makers, parents/ carers, researchers, academics and students interested in understanding more about early childhood today.

About the speakers:

Helge Wasmuth

Dr. Helge Wasmuth is Professor of Education at the Department of Early Childhood and Childhood Education at Mercy University (US). He is the author of Fröbel’s Pedagogy of Kindergarten and Play: Modifications in Germany and the United States (2020), co-author of Finding Froebel – The Man Who Invented Kindergarten (2023) and co-editor of The Bloomsbury Handbook to Friedrich Froebel (2023).

Jane Whinnett

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 both the Froebel in Childhood Practice and MsC Education: Early Childhood Practice and Froebel pathway courses. Jane teaches the Froebel Trust's Short Courses and Online Course as an experienced Froebelian Travelling Tutor. 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].