Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1879-07-09
THE KINDERGARTEN AGAIN.
(COnllnunicated.l

EDITOR APPEAL: | noticed in your paper Of
yesterday some remarks in regard to the can
tagonism' which has been manifested by q
few ,3and | am perfectly sure by Gerry small
| few, to our kindergarten school. This can
tagonism," if such really exist, must be born
of ignorance, perhaps not wilful ignorance,
! but an indlsposltion to look into the matter at
issue, and a disposition to adopt the opinions
| of others without seeking to know for our
selves. Robertson says what is unq uestiona-
bly, trne, ''There is no stumbling block like
ignorance and he who would remove it must
wear the holy crown of thorns."
This beautiful system of Froebels has met a
want which has long been felt in our commu-
nifty Our children, either from the effect of
climate, or perhaps from inheritance, have an
unwonted activity, craving restlessness,
which, if rightly directed will lead to the most
favorable results Left to itself naught but
tares will be the increase.
1t is acknowledged that early childhood is
most susceptible Of impressions, and that e1-
ternal objects, what is revealed through the
senses before understanding and reason are
called into action, are fixed forever in the
memory. They indeed serve as foundation
for the superstructure which is hereafter to be
raised. We cannot, therefore, begin too early
to direct the thoughts of our little ones in the
right channel, not by erudite instruction, but
by the very method so OPPORTUNITY placed be-
fore us Froebel begins with the ball, the
simplest of forms, and from this object lesson
after lesson may be taught by the skillful edu-
Gator Then follows the cube which contains
the germ of all we hereafter know of mathe-
mates, and SO from the lesser TO the greater
the mind is led on. The interlacing Stats, the
drawing, the prcking, ETC., are employment
for little hands which are always seeking
to do. By these manipulations the
fingers are taught the flexible movements
50 necessary in after life. The charming lit
tie songs which accompany this teaching,
which are source of delight and which in
struct as well as amuse, have softening and
refining influence which cannot be over estl-
mated. The affec tiOns as well as the intel |
ect are here cared for. | was delighted on
one of my visits to the school at the bit of
on the part of little boy who, in
he Cooper song, was careful not to pound too
hard on the hands of the girls, while to his |
own sex he gave no consideration. The |
question, what shall we do with our boys and
urls, will not be asked if proper training
axe the place of neglect. Thy will do for
themselves That the kindergarten system
las been introduced into our public schools
effects great credit on its advocates IN our
Board of Trustees. No one could witness
he examination of last week without feel
NC of gratitude to them, to its exponent
ErOebel, and to the teachers who have had
he school in charge the past months, 1t was
onsidered an experiment and has proved a
most successful one.
I!ss Babcock brings to the work much ex
erience as teacher, and she holds her pupils
S a good commander does his army. Her
is unconsciously felt throughout
he school. She inspires by her enthusiasm,
ncourages by her appreciation, and etfectually
indies the most dormant faculties into ac
witty. Let us therefore do everything to up
old her hands, and recognize in this beautiful
lethod the dawn of brighter day for our
,hool system, and when one vacation is end
l, let US as mothers, take deep interest in
laklng our kindergarten as unateraby fixed
, were the laws of the Modes and the
ersians. A MOTHER.
PIERCE, the Sweetwater murderer, confined