National Republican., 1878-01-23
"Froebelina. Once Moro.

DEAR MADAM: disciple published A
article in your paper Of the 10th headed "Ro-
ply to Froebelina" Instead of that it was an
answer to Brother Richards and to Veritas.
Froebelina did not attack the Christmas En-
tertainments," though she intends giving hcr
reasons at some future time why she is op-
posed to them. She heartily thanks "Disci-
pie" for so ably answering Brother r.
We said In our last that order Is not i'm
posed upon the children In a kindergarten.
Let us cite an instance. During one Of our
visits the little ones became noisy In their
games they had been singing the scale to tho
word follow the kindergartener wishing TO
repress the disorder substituted the word quiet,
and US each little one sang the word he felt
the influence, and almost instantly quiet
reigned US she led hem back to the table she
sang careful, careful. to the same music, and
very carefully did they draw out their chains
and seat themselves. Order was established
without coercion.
But suppose the children had not paid heed
to the gentle direction, then . more decided
command would have been given, for "thess
best and right things must be done, whether
agreeable or not" Yet little children and
grown up ones, too, are more apt to obey an
order kindly given than If uttered In a COM
manding or angry tone. We think II parents
and teachers would remember and practice the
Divine command, Provoke not your children
ton of the Divine prediction, Train up .
child in the way he should go, and when he is
old he will not depart from it," Love Is the
governing principle In a kindergarten, and tho
subjects being young and plactic are moro
easily moulded for good, than If left to them
selves until the inherent evil has asserted it.
self and the will grown stubborn. As
disciples said, "The will OF the children
instead Of being broken is trained to prefer
the right, and the child is made to feel the
natural consequences of bad behavior, which
is the exclusion of the companionship Of the
good" The principal of the Friends Acad-
emy" in Baltimore was once asked by what
means he governed SO many with such perfect
success. He answered We do not govern,
We simply direct, preserving the individuality
of each pupil intact" Thus far he was .
disciple of Froebel.
The commoncst mistake made about kinder
garten is that it is identical with Pestatozxis
object teaching.
The Pestatozzian system addresses, at tho
outset, the child's powers Of observation, while
observation. 1t forms the understanding that
is to be Informed afterward by objects exam
ined. Object teaching versus book learning, is
q part of the kindergarten training; but 1t 10
secondary to the direction of the activities Of
the senses and limbs, especially of the hand.
" Correct sensuous impressions come frst then
making things leads to examination Of quail
ties and knowledge of processes"
Sclt-aCtivty is the corner stone of the Froe-
bel system. Children always attend spontano-
ously and earnestly to what they themselves
are doing aud making, if 1t gives them pleas
ure, hence Froebcl organized the plays and
occupations, which become the frst objects Of
attention in the kindergarten.
FRoEBELINA.