The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-16
Ehe Free Kindergartens. and Their ohtect

l.
The Free KindeEgartens and Their Object.
To the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal:
The Children's Aid Society,of this city has re-
| Gently been Incorporated under the name of the
Indianapolis Free Kindergarten and ChildHens
Aid Society. For the present it will seek TO aid
children by establishing and maintaining frae
kinaergartens for the children of the poor We
believe that on the part Of many there is aswant
of apprehension Of the real objects at which we
arm in thus establishing free kindergartens
Not long ago gentleman of this city, in response
to an effort made to interest him in this work,
said that he should like to understand
what real good these kindergartens would
do; when he had put this question
to a lady who was herself interested in the
matter, all she had been able to tell him was:
ooh, we get the children together ana give
them good Time"
First of all, then, the great purpose which it
is desired to accomplish is to give these children
Of poverty and vice a better chance for becom-
ing honest, .self-dependent, upright citizens.
We receive into these free kindergartens the
children of the very poor, the vicious, The in
ebriate, many of whom are worse than homeless.
They are taken from the streets where,
even at the earliest kindergarten age
three years. they are already learn
ing the language of profanity and vice
They are gathered, into bright CHEEKY rooms,
into an atmosphere of physical and moral clean
illness. 1t has been found that the reflex nIfiu-
ence upon the homes appeals in efforts to keep
clean and tidy, not only Elre children but the
house. Every family becomes personally known
| to the kindergartners, and to ladies of the So
ciety, and friendly relations. are established
Order is the handmade of neatness The
/ a11s An,.1
authority and for the rights Of others, is kindly
but firmly taught. BY means of the seecupa-
tions and games, the eye is trained to
observe, the hand to become skillful, and IN
ltdustrions, and the mind lis awakened to per
ceptions OF beauty and truth.
Someone has said, tGive me the first ten
years of a childs life and care not who has tho
rest" Society glibly repeats such aphorisms as,
Just as the twig'is h6nt THE trees inclined,
and then leaves the twig to grow wretchedly
distorted. By and by, when the tw1gt has become
a imisshapen, diseased limb, society arOnsas
itself, and makes violent efforts to reform this
neglected member.
A faithful minister Says: The past of my life
has been spent in the work of reformation; God
helping me- the future of it shall be spent in the
work of prevention The work of
prevention and of right formation is
the work Of these free kindergartens. The
childs activity is pre-eecupied and directed into
wholesome channels. Idleness and illiteracy are
the fruitful breeders of pauperisIn and crime.
Right. here in Indianapolis statistics show that
one third of the children Between seven and
thirteen years edonot attend school The free
kindergartens are feeders of the public schools.
The school authorities testify to their great
value i'm insuring neatness order docilty, respect
for authority and in awakening sluggish minds
to greater clearness of apprehension.
Our State reform schools are largely filled by
children of neglect who early form such laMless,
vicious habits as to be pronounced incorriglble.
We believe that the wise care given to these
neglected little ones the kindergartens, sup
plemented by the helpful interest bestowed upon
their homes will prevent much Of this incdrrigi-
bility, and reduce the number in our reform
schools. The association appeals to the intelIi-
gent benevolence of Indianapolis for pecuniary
aid in maintaining free Kindergarten for poor
children. Amy who are not visited by the solic
itors and who are willing to assist in this work,
may send contributions to any of the following
addresses: Mrs. S. .. Peelle, 675 North Alabama
street; Mrs. j. L. Fugate S25 North Meridian
street; Mrs. H. G. Hufford 427 North East
street; Mrs Samuel Merrill. 345 Broadway, Mrs.
w. F. Mason, "a Home avenue. H.