Morning journal and courier., 1884-10-27
FREE KINDERGARTEN.
A PratsewOrhty Institution Som
 Account of Its Work.

A
 Account of Its Work.
 It may be quite unknown to many that there is in New Haven a free kindergarten in successful operation. For long time the need has been felt of place where little children from the families of the poorer working classes, between the ages of three and six, when they are too young to be ad- mitted to the public schools, yet old enough to learn, may be taken, and by kind care and with skillful, patient training receive the first impressions in the. mould which is to form them into useful men and women. Gathered from crowded, untidy homes or from the street, which is their playground, where infant ears and eyes become familiar with evil, they are taken to the refined atmosphere of a clean school room where a teacher trains the hands to useful work, the eyes to quick observation, the mind to alertness, the moral nature to right action, forming thus early the growing powers of the little child. Those acquainted with the crimes and misery of the city and their caus- es; those who know the influences of evil in to which so large proportion of those ehil- dren are born; those who have seen the boys and girls gathered into the reform schools of Middletown and Meriden and heard the sad stories of their lives, hail this movement with gladness as striking at the very foundations of evil in taking the children in the first years of life to train in them impressions of good and habits of right action which must influence their characters through life.
 Such schools proving great channels of good in other cities, a desire was felt to start one in our own. For the purpose of consult ing how best to accomplish this result a meeting of ladies was held in the summer of '83. In consequence of that effort Miss Brooks, of Springfield, who unites with experience a thorough training for the work, was invited to undertake the forming of a free Kindergarten in New Haven. Accepting the kindness of the day nursery committee, our school began in January last Tn thelr house and in William street. We opened with thirteen children, but the number soon increased until more than fifty names were enrolled on the list of the school. This first effort has been a success in the school and in the interest it has awakened in those to whom we have appealed for help. We trust that a practical interest in free kin dergarten training may be so awakened that soon we can carry on not only one but sever al such schools within the limits of our city. On account of increased numbers we have found it necessary to seek larger accommoda- tions. After much searching we at last found an old building, No. 192 Franklin street, at one time a saloon. It was not at tractive, but by much cleaning, repairing, fresh paper and paint, it is now pleasant room in which to gather the happy little children, where we would invite all who may be interested to visit us.
 The committee has been kindly assisted in the work by subscriptions and gifts and we hope there will be general desire to help it on. All contributions, whether small or great will be thankfully received by any member of the committee. The com mittee are: Mrs. George B. Farnam, presi- dent; Mrs William D. Whitney, Mrs. Jona- than Edwards, Mrs. William H. Moseley, Mrs. William Gale, Mrs. Frank L. Bigelow, Miss Edith Woolsey, treasurer; Mrs. A. D.