The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-01-10
The Kindergarten in Portland,

A kindergarten has been in successful
operation in this city since the summer of
1874. The admirable system of Froebel, ill
understood and misjudged by many, has been
thoroughly tested here with results highly
gratifying to its advocates and indeed to all
interested In the education of the young. In
the summer of 1874 graduate from the
Normal kindergarten class in Boston was
invited to Portland to take the direction of
small class of children between four and
five years of age. 1t was the first pure Kin
dergarten in this state and was in sense an
experiment. A class of twelve met in a
room in the rear of High Street church.
Subsequently the number was increased to
twenty-four. The school excited much inter-
est, was visited by many, and all who took
the trouble to inform themselves as to the
merits of the system were delighted with its
practical workings. The class was inspected
by the principal and some teachers of the
Boston Normal Institution, who expressed
themselves highly pleased at the ability dis
played by the Portland children and the
rapid progress made. The experiment was
so markedly successful that second year
was Immediately decided upon, and an as
sistant teacher secured in order that more
time might be devoted to taking forward the
class of the previous year. The result of the
second years teaching established the per-
manency of the school, for the kindergarten
SO grew into favor that it established itself as
permanent institution in Portland. The
class took up its quarters in building on
Park street belonging to DR.. Hutchinson and
fitted up by him for its use. There it is sue
cessfully pursuing its third year. 1t has been
visited and highly commended by Miss Eliza
beth Peabody, lady whose name is identi-
fed with the work. and who has given the
best years of her life to its prosecution. OF
course the personnel of the class is continu.
ally changing, its members becoming fitted
Tor the public schools and their places being
supplied by new recruits. So decided has
been the success of the school that another
has been established in Arcana Hall where
the lady assistant of the parent school daily
illustrates Froebel's sys
That system deserves to be studied by all
who are interested in the improved methods
OF education, and especially demands the at
tention of mothers who for the better guild
ance cf their children should acquaint them
selves with its philosophy. Miss Peabody's
plan of forming classes of mothers canpet be
too highly commended. The opportunity
now afor led by the convenient and pleasant
| uptown home of the kindergarten on Spring
Street to investigate the system which com
mands the hearty approval of the best educa
tors and which has so amply proved its good
ness by its admirable results should be seized
upon by all concerned in the education O
children. The Portland School has given in
| struction to over fifty pupils, and the parents
of these unanimously express satisfaction al
| the result, showing their faith by sending
younger children to replace those whose
course is finished. Not little of the success
of the School is due to the efficient and
| patient instructor who has it in charge, ant
who thoroughly understands and heartily
admires the system. The system itself call:
| for ample encouragement and support, and il
will be good day for our children when the
Portland Kindergartens number twenty in.
stead of two.