Where does the word ‘kindergarten’ come from?
Ideas around the role of gardens and the plants that grow in them in the lives and learning of children have existed for a long time. The ideas that we recognise today can be traced back to 19th-century thinkers and philosophers like Friedrich Froebel, who celebrated the importance of the garden and advocated that schools should foster children’s love of the natural world.
Hands-on practical experience as well as factual knowledge of plants and how to care for them were key elements in the curriculum they advocated. These opportunities – it was hoped – would lead to children developing a love of nature, a sense of community, and would nurture their personal growth. For children at the Foundling Hospital, the garden also offered the opportunity to learn skills that could be used in future employment. In this in-depth but accessible talk we consider the long-held association between childhood and horticulture and explore the foundling children’s experiences of gardening.
This talk will last 40 minutes, with an opportunity to ask questions afterwards. Tickets are available to watch either ONLINE or IN-PERSON at the Foundling Museum; in-person tickets include Museum entry. The online recording will be available to watch for 1 month.
This talk is part of a series of ‘Meet the Expert’ events, diving into the history of the Foundling Hospital. To find out more, explore the other ‘Meet the Experts’ talks on our What’s On page.
Dr Deborah Albon and Dr Amy Palmer have extensive experience as university lecturers and researchers with more than 40 publications between them on childhood and food related topics. They both worked at Froebel College, University of Roehampton and are steeped in the ideas of Friedrich Froebel, the German educational philosopher who was pivotal in understandings of the garden in childhood. Deb and Amy’s latest book is First Helpings: A History of Children and Food, published by Reaktion Books, 2026. Deb is a volunteer at the Foundling Museum and works on conserving the Foundling Hospital records and Amy is a qualified archivist who has previously worked for the British Library.
To find out how to get here, including where to eat and drink, view our visitor information page here.
To find out more about access at the Foundling Museum, including how to book a wheelchair, visit our Accessibility page here.