Main Index Page

Last updated 27/10/2025

x

'Ein zusammenhängendes Ganzes von Spielen und Beschäftigungen für die erste Kindheit' (A coherent whole of games and activities for early childhood) was published by J B Fischer in Dresden in 1854. The work is anonymous but according to a list of her writings in 'The Life of the Baroness Marenholz-Bulow' (available online here) it was written by Baroness von Marenhoz-Bulow.

The work is a pamphlet of just 12 pages. It consists of an Introduction, a Section on Froebels 'Six toys for early childhood' (ie the gifts) and another on 'various activities for early childhood' (ie the occupations). 11 occupations are described, three of which relate to paperfolding (see analysis below).

A full copy of the work can be accessed online here.

**********

**********

Analysis

Note that these activities are said to be suitable for children of 3 to 10 years.

**********

Falten in Papier - Falten

Roughly translated this section reads: 'Transformation of a simple material into various forms, which arise from one and the same basic form, by folding a square sheet of paper along different lines. In this way, according to a specific law of combinations, 20 different forms are obtained from the same basic form. The aims of the activity are dexterity, neatness, and the development of basic mathematical concepts through visualisation and associated, easily understandable, discussion.'

Reference to the 'law of combinations' tells us that the 20 forms are Schönheitsformen, almost certainly designs developed from the Double Blintz Basic Form.

**********

Schnuren mit Papier - Verschnuren

**********

Ausschneiden in Papier - Ausschneiden und Aufkleben

Inter alia this section says, roughly translated: 'The small pieces of paper that fall off during cutting are glued onto cardboard in regular shapes to practice economy.'

**********