Abstract
This study aimed to analyze how child education was practiced using gift blocks at public kindergartens and Christian kindergartens where early-childhood education was provided in Japan in the early 20th century. At public kindergartens, gift blocks were modified from the original form of Froebel’s gifts according to children’s age and combined with other teaching materials so that children could enjoy playing with the blocks more easily. By contrast, at Christian kindergartens, not only the original form the Froebel’s gifts were used with storytelling, but also Froebel’s methodologies and philosophy were highly respected. This practice at Christian kindergartens was similar to that provided in the United States.
