The Genealogy of Criticism on Froebel's "Gifts" :

A Re-evaluation of Goroku Nakamura and the Branch Office of Kindergarten Attached to the Women's Teachers College

Abstract

Motokichi Higashi is regarded as the first person who established a systematic theory on early childhood care and education in Japan, criticizing Froebel's "Gifts" theory at the start of kindergarten. His criticism was a result of Goroku Nakamura's innovation of "Gifts" and his consistent practices at the Branch Office of Kindergarten attached to the Women's Teachers College. This Office had been regarded as the pre-stage of an institution to protect children separated from the mainstream of kindergarten during the Meiji period. However, recent research indicates that the college regarded the Office as a model of "ordinary kindergarten" for middle class citizens. This new information enables us to re-evaluate the Office in light of Higashi's criticism of the "Gifts" theory and the later history of kindergarten.