甲賀ふじのアメリカ留学と幼稚園教育実践

抄録

The purpose of this study is to clarify the features of Koga Fuji’s (1856-1937) educational practices in kindergartens and research activities from her relationship with kindergarten education in America. Koga went to America to research kindergarten methods, and became involved in kindergarten education in Japan. Previous research has indicated that the practices of the Homei Kindergarten by Koga represented a new form of kindergarten education influenced by progressive education, but their research does not sufficiently examine how she came to develop her education practices. In fact, this cannot be verified without elucidating the facts of Koga’s studies at the University of Chicago. As a result of conducting an investigation into the question, this study enumerates three conclusions regarding Koga’s educational and research activities and their development.

First, after obtaining qualifications as a kindergarten teacher during her first study abroad, she practiced along the theme at the kindergarten affiliated with Hiroshima Women’s School, although at this stage she did not introduce new resources or methods.

Second, while she studied a second time in America, she learned progressive education of kindergarten that respected free and independent activity based on a critical study of Froebel’s philosophy at the University of Chicago.

Third, at Homei Kindergarten after Koga returned to Japan, she practiced child-centered education based upon the interests and individuality of children, ascertained through child research.

Finally, Koga’s pioneering practices were a result of independently and continuously grappling with child research based on scientific principles, and not just receiving the latest theories and methods in kindergarten education.