John Kraus

Background

John Kraus was born on February 2, 1815 in Nassau, Germany. He was the son of Jacob Kraus, a farmer of considerable means in Nassau, Germany, and of Margaretha (Herbst) Kraus, who died when John was still a child.

Education

Kraus attended the public schools of Nassau and distinguished himself for his proficiency in mathematics. Later he entered a teachers' seminary at Idstein. He was induced to prepare for teaching because of his interest in the principles of pedagogy advanced by Pestalozzi.

Career

At the age of twenty he was assigned to military duty at Wiesbaden.

After meeting Froebel in 1844 he became an ardent advocate of his kindergarten theory, and as a disciple of Froebel soon gained national prominence and governmental recognition. This recognition brought him into contact with various educators in different parts of Germany as well as in other European countries.

In 1851 he came to the United States. Here he established schools and through his lecturing and teaching spread the educational principles of both Pestalozzi and Froebel. His clarity of expression and forcefulness attracted attention, and in 1867 he was invited by Henry Barnard, the first United States commissioner of education, to become associated with his organization. Kraus accepted, primarily in order to promote his kindergarten theories on a national scale. His publications in the daily press aroused much interest in kindergarten work.

In 1872 he was a member of a committee of the National Education Association which, after study of the problems involved, urged the application of Froebel's principles of education not only to the kindergarten but also to the primary and advanced grades of the elementary schools of America.

He resigned his position in the United States Bureau of Education and with his wife organized a seminary for kindergarten teachers in New York City, which, with her cooperation, he conducted until his death in 1896.

Achievements

• Kraus was among the first to write for publication on the principles of the kindergarten.

Works

More photos

• book

  • The Kindergarten Guide: The Gifts.-V.2. the Occupations

    (This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)

  • The kindergarten guide Volume 1

    (The kindergarten guide. An illustrated hand-book, designe...)

Religion

Kraus's character reflected the early religious training which he received from his father.

Connections

In 1873 Kraus married Maria Boelté, whose work as a kindergarten specialist he had studied both in Germany and in England.

Father:

Jacob Kraus

farmer

Mother:

Margaretha (Herbst) Kraus

Spouse:

Maria Boelté

educator