Friedrich Fröbel was a German pedagogue who dedicated his life to developing a pedagogical system for raising preschool children. He is considered to be the originator of preschool education and the founder of the first form of institutionalized preschool education - the kindergarten. Therefore, it is not surprising that many authors do not hesitate to call him the "father of the Kindergarten". He recognized the need for the formal education of women and founded the first school for educators. Using the philosophy of unity with nature, he taught children how to explore, observe and express themselves through the process of play. He designed didactic materials and tools for educational work with children as an incentive for the development of creativity, logical thinking and cognitive development. Play has a major developmental role and as such encourages the child's overall development. Many initiators of alternative pedagogy, such as Maria Montessori and Rudolf Steiner, adopted his ideas and materials and adapted them to their own conceptions. Fröbel's pedagogical activity laid the foundation for the later definition of preschool pedagogy as a separate pedagogical discipline, and his influence is still felt today in the work of all institutions for early and preschool education of children.