Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-04-12
For the Herald Of the Times.
INFANT SCHOOLS.
Mr.. Editor,


INFANT SCHOOLS.
Mr.. Editor,
Will you allow me to direct the atten-
tion Of your readers to the advertisement
Of the Infant School contained in your pa
per.
What is an Infant School? is the first
question of every one unacquainted with
the institution. Its primary object is to
redeem from almost total waste, the peri
cd elapsing between children's Leaving
their mothers arms and attending COM
mon Schools. differs from other
schools chiefly in the means adopted to
make the acquisition of knowledge de-
light(ul, and to throw around it in earli-
est years, the most pleasant associations.
To prevent the WEAKNESS and disgust
which so often results from confning the
infant mind too closely to single object,
a great variety Of objects is daily pre-
sented, and the scene often changed
The effect Of this is not to overcharge
the mind Of the child, "a consequence
which some have feared, but by arous-
ing curiosity, and exciting spirit of in
quiry, to attract his attention to every
subject that is exhibited. In the disci-
pline of the School implicit obedience is
required; :his, however, is not enforced
by corporeal punishment, but chiefly by
operating on the affections Of the pupils;
love is the ruling principle; all are thus
rendered happy, and the constant aim is
to cherish all that is good, and counter
act all that is evil.
Infant Schools are of recent date
They were first commenced in England
as charitable institutions, for the accom-
mediation Of those poor mothers who on
going out to spend the day at work, Ell
ther left their children at home destitute
of a protector, or sent them into the
street, where they came in contact
with every bad influence, and grew up
nuisances to society. From England
they were six or seven years since, in
troduced into our own country.
The simple object in the original plan
was, to provide a place where children
might be kept from evil, but it was soon
found that much might be taught them Of
highly useful character.-It was dis
covered that they might not only be in
structed in the rudiments Of valuable
knowledge, but that they might be taught
their obligations to their maker, and their
lisPing tongues be tuned to sing his
praise.
After Infant Schools had become firm
ly established as charitable institutions.
conferring a favor on the poorer classes,
the discovery was made that their advan-
tages might be extended to the richer
classes Of society.-Private schools were
soon established and have been introduce
ed into some Of our first cities.
Said an old lady who had spent many
years of her life in instructing young
children, 81 cannot like Infant Schools:
there's too much play in them; have
always thought that the playfulness Of
children should be checked, not encour-
aged" But either extreme is to be a.
voided.-The grand secret ofthe success
of Infant Schools is, that they take ad-
vantage of this very play which
many wish to destroy. 1t is a strong
principle ofour youthful nature, alike all
our strong passions, is not to be repres-
sed but used and directed to good ends
This liveliness Of childhood is allowed
to develope itself in the infant scholar,
in singing hymns and songs adapted to
the youngest comprehension, and in the
exercise Of marching around the room as
they keep time to their own music.-
The other exercises consist Of oral In.
strnction, in Reading, the first prime iples