The Morning herald., 1876-03-02
AKINDEKGARTEN.

UOtcNVe OUeT Otner OcNOOtS-An Aste'.
esttn0 and 2PleasinO Study.
What Kindergarten is, perhaps, is not
known to the citizens of Wilmington ; yet
even if it were so, since the object of such
an institution is to offer better facilities for
the minds of the young, 1t de-
serves, at least, careful consideration, ifnot
q practical test. The definition of a Kinder
garten (child-garden) may be given as fol-
lows, which will convey to the mind ofthe
reader an idea of it: 1t is an institution
providing employment, and exercises for
the healthful and harmonious development
of all the faculties of children from three
years of age up to seven. Instruction is
impaired to the child by the way Of toys,
termed "gifts - they consist of rings,
blocks, etc. The first and second gifts are
intended to be used by mothers in the nur-
sery. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth gifts
belong, properly, tothe Kindergarten, and
may comprise boxes of cubes, divided into
various shapes, which can readily be en-
ployed to givepleasant lessons, both in num-
bers and in the elements Of arithmetic, also
in form and invention, thereby exercising
contructiveness in the minds of children,
which together with the aid of stories, an
ecdotes, and other useful information from
the teacher, they can easily and comprchen-
sively, receive and understand great deal
of simple instruction concerning the laws Of
nature, and common thing. Young children
cannot, in accordance with their natures, be
expected to sit in one position, or remain
still for any length OF time,
even to look and listen-their constant de-
sire being to have something to do, hence
the many employments for the hands and
feet, also for the eyes and ears, which are
taught in this system, meet in every par
ticular the wants of the child, and is no
doubt the most impressive way of commun-
icating ideas TO the youthful mind.
Among the many ways of keeping the pu-
pills employed is furnishing them with col
ored papers far plating, clay for modelling,
sticks for laying tiguresupon the table, and
slate ruled in squares for the elements OF
drawing, folding of paper by means of which
the elements of geometry are taught, afford
variety Of employments which must be
seen to be rightly understood and appre-
ciated. Active games, with songs OF the
most innocent and instructive kind, form
part of the daily exercises of the "Kinder-
garten," all Of which are best conducted in
connection with large garden and country
scenery, that noble impressions may be de-
rived from nature, and space afforded for
the little folks to witness and indulge in
gardening operations.
The founder of this very superior mode OF
educating little children was Frederick
Frebel He was born in Germany, and be-
came pupil of Pestalozzi, who was an ar
dent admirer of this method Of teaching
Frebel, soon, however, discovered the
want of something more adapted
to engage the ever active pow
ers of the youngest children. With
a view ofproviding way in which the little
ones could acquire information in the most
pleasing manner, he studied attentively the
young human being, endowed with spiri-
tual, moral intellectual and animal nature.
He perceived that, by the old systems OF
instruction. the harmonious and gradual
development of all the faculties was not Sc
cured, but that the memory was often over
taxed, the moral sentiment neglected or
the physical powers stunted, while the in
ventive or creative faculty innate in every
healthy child remained undeveloped. He
| watched the course of nature in the vegeta
BILE kingdom where plants grow freely in
good soil and pure air, needing but the aid
Of the cultivator for perfect development
| In beautiful accordance with the teachings
of nature, he found, too, the Scripture
precept: "Train up child in the way he
should co." with its encouraging promise
ssand when he is old he will not depart
from it," Thus he arrived at the conclu
sion that the teacher of youth should moi
attempt to force instruction into the mind
but endeavor to use the right means anc
materials by means of which it may be OBJ
tanned: to direct the awakening faculties
form the habits, educate the feelings
and preserve pure atmosphere and goot
influences around the tender human plant
"We must begin at the beginning" sale
he after having devoted nearly lifetime
to the education of adolescent children
"Tbere is too much to be undone in late
wears. that has been done wrong from thu
outset" He therefore addressed himsel
to the mothers, to the whole female sex
TO whom the care of our infancy is commit
ted. In his book of the "Mother's Cosset
inp Songs" he laid down his views on In
fant Education.
Thus for children from the age of thre
wears to seven, he devised his kindergar
ten. as an intermediate step and connecting
link between the child's home life ant
school, which brings the child into contac
with children of its own age, enhances 1t
Measure in following the same innocen
pursuits with them, and plants the seeds o
|social virtue. Frnbel's efforts to establish
his system, toward the close of his life
were rewarded with success, and he hat
the qualification Of seeing many Kinder
gartens in operation IN MS u own IN na.,v hae,
INTRODUCED into the United States, and Kin
derpartens are now common institution
in most of our large cities. In Boston AM
New York they have become very popular
as also in Philadelphia. The only steps
we believe, ever taken in this city for tn
promotion and dissemination Of knowledg
through Frebel's method, are those o
Miss Noyce, young lady from Massachu