Play based learning. It's not new. 200 years ago (1817) Frobel opened his first kindergarten. His aim was to unite school and life, giving children the tools to become “free-thinking, independent people,” free from the whims of fashion, society, and the stifling spirit of the age. Fröbel’s belief was that life and school should not be separate experiences: “School and life should become one!” Such ideas led him to create the first kindergarten, or “garden for children.” FRÖBEL DAY – TWO HUNDRED YEARS IN KEILHAU, GERMANY It's through play that we learn best. When something is interesting & relevant, we learn. When we are actively involved with something, we learn. When we create something new, we learn. By working with others we learn - a lot - about other people. We learn to communicate, problem solve and to wonder. Children learn through play. There are times for unstructured, self-chosen play and there are times for the teacher to come together with a group...