"Froebel recognized that a ball is often a first or favorite toy of infants. It is lightweight and easy to grasp or hold. For Froebel, the ball symbolized unity because it is a complete whole, a pure form. The whole is the beginning of understanding and everything else is derived from the whole."
While studying Froebel - the creator of Kindergarten - I discovered his gifts. Above is the first 'gift' - which I decided to make and add to my Montessori classroom. The children loved them! They sorted and categorized them - swung them around - counted them - lined them up - identified their colours and simply enjoyed them. Play was endless! I am glad I took the time to make them and introduce them to my kids!
