ELEMENTARY ART The author of “Inventing Kindergarten” (Harry N. Abrams), Norman Brosterman, discusses the 19th-century origins of kindergarten, invented by German educator Friedrich Frobel (1782-1852). The talk is presented in conjunction with “Philosophical Toys,” an exhibit curated by Mr. Brosterman and Christine and Margaret Wertheim that includes artifacts from Frobel’s original kindergarten system. The show also includes origami items by paper-folder Jeannine Mosley and works by Shea Zellweger, who devised an alphabet of symbols corresponding to the geometry behind logical operations. Both artists were influenced by Frobel’s principles for blending tactile and visual learning. Above is Ms. Zellweger’s “Logic Garnet” (1979), a wooden tool for playing games based on her “logic alphabet.” Talk: Tonight, 6:30 p.m., free. Exhibit: Through Saturday, July 30, Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., apexart, 291 Church St., between Walker and White streets, 212-431-5270, free.

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