Being a kindergarten teacher these days, I see the ideas of synthesis and reflexivity in action every single day. It’s less about making kids memorize the ABCs and more about helping them connect the dots and figure things out on their own.

I'm a big believer in learning through play, just like Froebel talked about. There was a time, they were given different toys; blocks, puzzles and other. The kids were able to share and take turms and create a system on their own on how they will be able to play. Sometimes it's not in a lesson plan. There will always be a moment where they can have their own idea. It perfectly shows how curriculum becomes relevant when it links to a child’s world.

Honestly, this way of teaching having their own experiences and then encouraging them to reflect and build on those ideas is so much more powerful than any worksheet. It can be a little messy and unpredictable, but the learning really sticks. It's a constant, natural loop of play, curiosity, and reflection, and it really shows the magic of letting kids lead the way.

Resources: Froebel, Thayer, Cazden