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Last updated 22/11/2025

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This page is being used to collect information about the history of the Additional Froebelian Occupation of Das Pappen (Cardboard Modelling). Please contact me if you know any of this information is incorrect or if you have any other information that should be added. Thank you.

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1863

As far as I know this technique first appears as a Froebelian occupation under the name of 'Pappen' in 'Katechismus der praktischen Kindergärtnerei' by Friedrich Seidel was published by J J Weber in Leipzig in 1863.

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1865

'De Fröbelsche kartonwerkers' by Elise Van Calcar, which was published by K H Schadd in Amsterdam in 1863, linked Cardboard Modelling to Froebel but without explaining why. The work contains illustrations of Cardboard Modelling designs for Furniture / Buildings / Boxes and Polyhedra.

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1873

Cardboard Modelling is mentioned in one brief paragragh of 'Die Praxis Des Kindergartens' by August Koehler, which was published by Herman Bohlau in Weimar in 1873.

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1876

'Die Formenarbeiten Part 6: Die Papparbeiten' (Cardboard Modelling) by Alois Fellner was published by Wien, A. Pichler's Witwe & Sohn during the years 1874/79. The designs fall into three categories, boxes, polyhedra and life forms (in this case buildings).

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1879

There is a section on 'Het Plakken' in 'Paedagogische Bibliotheek VI: Frobel' by J Versluys, which was published by W Versluys in Groningen in 1879, in which the author notes that: 'The objects from everyday life that can be imitated by het plakken usually represent the objects very well, something that often cannot be said of the life forms in other exercises.'

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1882

Cardboard modelling is included in 'The Kindergarten Guide' by Maria Kraus Boelte and John Kraus, which was first published in single volume form by E. Steiger and Company in New York in 1882, as the Tenth Occupation.

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1885

The second edition of 'Spiel und Arbeit' by Hugo Elm, which was published by Verlag und Drud der Otto Spamer in Leipzig in 1885, contains a section explaining how to make boxes using the cardboard modelling technique.

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1887

Cardboard Modelling is included as an Additional Occupation in 'Primary Methods: A Complete and Methodical Presentation of the Use of Kindergarten Material in the Primary School' by W N Hailmann, which was published by A S Barnes and Company in New York and Chicago in 1887.

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1889

In 'Friedrich Fröbels Course of Paper-Cutting' by Eleonore Heerwart, which was published by Swan Sonnenschein and Co in London in 1889, the author states that Froebel considered Cardboard Modelling (specifically the making of polyhedra) 'as one of the best for older boys'.

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Cardboard Modelling appears as an Additional Occupation (Gift no 20) for children aged 7 to 14 in Part 1 of 'Hand-And-Eye Training' by George Ricks which was published by Cassell and Company Ltd in London, New York and Melbourne in 1889

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'Education of Head and Hand' by Gabriel Bamberger, which was published by A Flanagan in Chicago in 1891, is a compilation of six leaflets about manual work in schools. The sixth leaflet is about making containers, polyhedra and models of furniture etc by the cardboard modelling technique.

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1880

'Kleiner Kindergarten' by Karl Schellner, which was published by Alfred Holder in Vienna in 1880, contains a brief section about 'Das Pappen' which says, inter alia, 'This activity is less suitable for children of pre-school age, but more so for pupils in the upper grades of of elementary and middle school'.

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1896

'The Republic of Childhood', titled 'Froebel's Occupations', by Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora Archibald Smith, which was published by Houghton, Mifflin and Company, of Boston and New York in 1896, contains a note about the use of cardboard modelling as a Froebelian occupation.

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1900

'Introduccion a la Ensenaza Practica del Sistema de Kindergarten' by Ernesto Steiger, which was published by E Steiger and Co in New York in 1900.

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1908

'A Practical System in Folding, Cutting and Modelling' by A Louise Woodford, which was published by Broadway Publishing Company in New York in 1908, is a book of simple cardboard modelling / paper sloyd designs intended for classroom use.

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1910

'Educational Handwork' by T B Kidner, which was published by The Educational Book Company Limited in Toronto in 1910 contains a section about 'Constructive Work' ie the construction of dishes / boxes and polyhedra by the cardboard modelling technique.

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