Child Development Associate (CDA) 2025 Complete Practice Exam for Child Care

The first kindergarten was primarily centered on play as the main aspect of child development. This approach was rooted in the belief that children learn best through play, enabling them to explore, experiment, and develop their social, emotional, and cognitive skills in a natural and enjoyable environment. The founders of the kindergarten movement, such as Friedrich Froebel, strongly advocated for play as a crucial component of early childhood education, seeing it as a vital way for children to engage with the world around them and make sense of their experiences.

Play in the kindergarten setting fosters essential developmental abilities such as problem-solving, cooperation with peers, and imagination, laying the groundwork for later academic learning. While academic skills, structured learning, and art and creativity are important aspects of a well-rounded education, the original intent of kindergarten was to prioritize play as the foundation of children's learning and growth. This influence can still be seen in modern early childhood education philosophies that emphasize the importance of play in developing a child's overall well-being and readiness for school.