The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-06-16
ANOTHER WORD FOR THE KIN
DERGARTEN

AS reference to the kindergarten work in
Kenosha was so frequently made, for time,
through the columns of the city papers it
seems hardly just to the cause or to those
who have interested themselves in it, that
all mention of it should be dropped; mas
much also as requests from other points have
been at various times received for some note
of its progress here. In order that Just
decision be reached upon the success of any
project, the object for which it was institu-
| ted must form the basis for such Judgment.
And the primary object Of this effort, stated
at the beginning, was, to carry out as far as
possible, in the home of my own childhood
and the home of my children, Frebel's
beautiful idea of harmonious education
the development Of all the faculties of the
child, in the spirit of love which alone wins
to goodness and through it, to bring to as
many mothers as possible the sweetness, and
beauty, and joy, that it had brought to me-
To broaden the work, and unite it, if might
be, with the public educational enterprises
of the city was another object. But with
these primary objects was made the deter.
mination that no hope of popular success
should ever lessen my sense of obligation to
the true interests of every child under my
care, and any effort which called for this has
been at once abandoned. Time, better than
any explanation. will make this clear. No
child beyond the kindergarten age has ever
been kept in the Kindergarten; and l am
quite sure that each one of such age has
made as thorough and as rapid progress in
studies with as much interest as the same
child, with the same outward conditions,
would have made in any school, and has
always been benefited by familiarity with
| kindergarten work. The common sense of
the world is fast demanding an education
which shall make better artisans for
the industries, and fewer bunglers in the
profession or shall give skill in both
| directions that may make either success.
The Kindergarten of this city has been in
session, with few interruptions, for three years.
1t has never taken legal holiday, and has
been interrupted only by sickness or death,
which are incident to the experience of any
teacher. For any irregularity of attention
at such times no charge of tuition has ever
been made. 1t has always received faithful
service through its regular hours, and quite
as many hours have been given to prepare
ton for regular work, by its conductor, |
Kenosha. It's theory is, that change of oc-
cupation, requiring the use of different set
of faculties, is recreation-rest. II hours
which have been given to leisure by others
have been necessarily filled by activity for
me, no one has been defrauded by it. The
work of the kindergarten is positive. It's
advocates believe that the muscles of child 8
body can be strengthened just as we'll by ex-
ercise toward useful and beautiful results as
by kicking and striking, and with far more
satisfactory pleasure. They believe that the
highest pleasure that a child can experience
is from the results of its own creative genius.
They believe that man or woman is not
thoroughly educated man or woman with
out reasonable development of this crea-
tive talent. They believe that such develop
| ment increases mental strength, gives clean
ness to thought, lays the foundation for
mathematical requirements, and is not only
an aid to the professional scholar, but re-.
source, when such profession fails. They
believe that the early industrial training,
combined with the mental and moral gui-
dance which the kindergarten of Froebei
gives, completes supply for the exercise
of all the faculties of the child. 1t opposes
no religion, assails no teachers or schools
or systems. Its work is positive. Negations
are for those who criticise it, All that it
claims it can prove. And has il been sue
cess in Kenosha? Time in this, too, better
than words. will tell. Time, too, will tell
something more of the effort which has been
given to it. When one mother of number
of children voluntarily told me that the Kin
dergarten had been the most helpful infu-
ence that had ever come to her and her
children, when another said that it had been
ministry of love in her family, and like
expressions were repeated to me, said
sincerely, "This is the fulfillment of my
greatest desire in this work The Kinder
garten has been success"
| With ever increasing faith in the value of
the kindergarten training, as foundation
for the true character az well as true scholar
ship, with feeling of no less enthusiasm in
the work, with no resentment for misinter-
pretations or unjust judgments in the past,
I am content to wait for results, hoping that
at no distant time the kindergarten may
become part of the educational interest Of
the city, and that parents may judge of its
merits by full course of patronage.
FRANCES A. B. DUNNING.