What aspect of early childhood education did Friedrich Froebel and Maria Montessori emphasize?

Friedrich Froebel and Maria Montessori both emphasized the importance of promoting children's learning through self-directed activities. Froebel founded the concept of the kindergarten and believed that children learn best through play and hands-on experiences. He introduced educational play materials, known as Froebel Gifts, which children could manipulate to explore concepts of shape, form, and their environment.

Similarly, Montessori developed an educational approach that centers around self-directed activity, where children are encouraged to choose their own activities and learn at their own pace. In her classrooms, the environment is carefully prepared to allow children to engage with materials independently, fostering their innate curiosity and desire to learn. This emphasis on self-direction is foundational to both educators' philosophies, as they understood that children are naturally motivated learners and that freedom in learning leads to deeper understanding and development.

This focus on autonomy in the learning process distinguishes their ideas from more traditional approaches that prioritize structured curricula and teacher-led instruction.