This essay discusses the life and work of Elise van Calcar (1822-1904), a writer and maternal feminist who introduced Froebel's kindergarten in the Netherlands. Van Calcar also was the leader of a Christian branch of spiritualism. The focus is pointed at parallels between her reading of Froebel and of "messages" from spirits in the…

Alice Buckton was a Froebelian educator who was involved in early childhood education and the training of teachers. She was a prolific writer, at first writing articles for the Froebelian journal "Child Life" and later writing poetry and plays, which were read and performed in London and elsewhere. Alice Buckton became interested in the…

This article examines Maria Montessori's ideas on education and young children with specific reference to: (1) the nature of the child; (2) the religious dimension of her ideas; (3) other philosophical ideas which support Montessori's approach to educating young children; (4) cognitive development in young children; and (5) the moral dimension of…

Discusses the need to provide appropriate materials in school libraries that offer support to gay and lesbian teens. Topics addressed include the presentation of role models, in fiction as well as in biographies; religious diversity; confidentiality of circulation records; and censorship issues. (LRW)