A kindergarten is a preschool educational approach traditionally based on playing, singing, practical activities such as drawing, and social interaction as part of the transition from home to school. The first such institutions were created in the late eighteenth century in Bavaria and Strasbourg to serve children both of whose parents worked out of the home.

The term was coined by the German Friedrich Fröbel, whose approach greatly influenced early-years education around the world. In accordance with his approach, he coined the term in the metaphorical sense of "place where children can grow in a natural way" (not in the literal sense of "garden"). The term is used in many countries to describe a variety of educational institutions for children ranging from two to seven years of age, based on a variety of teaching methods.

History

In 1779, Johann Friedrich Oberlin and Louise Scheppler founded in Strasbourg an early establishment for caring for and educating pre-school children whose parents were absent during the day. At about the same time, in 1780, similar infant establishments were established in Bavaria. In 1802, Princess Pauline zur Lippe established a preschool center in Detmold, the capital of the then principality of Lippe, Germany (now in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia).

Kindergarten is a 1989 Argentine movie directed by Jorge Polaco, based on Asher Benatar's novel. It stars Graciela Borges, Arturo Puig and Luisa Vehil. It was banned from theaters one day short of its release and has remained unreleased in Argentina for over 20 years.

Plot

The movie focuses on the marriage of Graciela and Arturo, who operate a kindergarten in their mansion. They live with Graciela's widowed mother, Luisa. Graciela is particularly keen on one boy, Luciano, on whom she makes sexual advances.

As the movie progresses, the relationship between Graciela and Arturo tenses. Scenes show them celebrating kids' birthdays while having sex in hiding, practicing a ritualistic burning of a wrecked car, mistreating their comatose grandfather (victim of said car wreck) and generally torturing Luciano.

The end has Luciano imprisoning and gassing Graciela and Arturo, and then escaping with Luisa on a horse-drawn carriage.

Controversy

The film sparked controversy due to its perceived mistreat of child actors (the protagonist, an eleven-year-old, spends most of his screen-time naked), as well as a number of censored scenes: an adult woman and a child take a bath together, the same woman later on makes suggestive advances on the child, plus the inclusion of an unrelated, explicit oral sex scene. The movie was banned from theaters one day short of release and a prolonged trial ensued over eight years, emotionally devastating Polaco and his fellow workmen. It has gained notoriety as being the first film to be censored by the government following the end of the Dirty War in 1983.

Kindergarten (foaled 1937) was a New Zealand bred Thoroughbred racehorse that raced during the early 1940s. He won many of the premier events in New Zealand including the Wellington Cup and Auckland Cup for more than £16,000 in stake money, which was a large amount during the War.

Breeding

He was a bay colt by the good racehorse and sire, Kincardine (GB), his dam Valadore (by Valkyrian) had 19 starts for two wins. Valadore was the dam of 10 foals, of which 7 were named and raced to produce 5 winners, including a half-brother to Kindergarten, Golden Souvenir. This horse was by Lang Bian (FR) and he was the winner of 10½ races including the Wellington Cup, New Zealand Cup, Dunedin Cup and Canterbury Cup etc.

Racing record

In his one trip to Australia he was allocated a prohibitive weight of 9 stone (57 kilograms), and came third in the Warwick Stakes to High Caste and Freckles, two great Australian champions. After the race he was unsettled, and rather than risk damage, he was returned to New Zealand.