St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-05-02

cede primary work, and NUE 3 ES =
which has in recent years been carried on
and experimental with to very large eX-
tent in the United States. While all kin
dergarteners look to Froebel for guidance,
; the varying extent to which his ideas have
! been grasped by them and the varying sue
( cess with which they have carried them out,
have made these institutions as varied
| in character and method as is
!. the individuality of the teachers
; Froebers great motto was: ''Come, let us
live with our children" and with nature
that drew him towards the little ones and a
keen appreciation of their possibilities and
capabilities he combined an original insight
into the natural methods of development,
giving the world system OF child culture
which has never been improved. Some of
the proper
OBJECTS OF THE WORK
of the kindergarten are: Keen development
of the perceptive faculties, observation,
attention, memory, Imagination, concentra-
ton. knowledge of nature, the cultivation
of truthfulnesS, generosity, thOughtfulnesS,
self-cOntrol, self-reliance, amiabilty, gen.
eral refinement of manners and character,
patience. dizziness of the hand, love of the
beautiful, yivacity and Sociablity, health.
The results obtained by competent kinder
gartener in 4 short time are surprising, and
show the impressibility of mind and char
acter at that early age and the great latent
capabilities of a child. Dispositions
and habits are completely changed
under the gentle influence of a
true kindergartener, and the child
formerly dull becomes wide awake, inQur-
ing and observing. 1t is the unanimous
verdict of educators that child who enters
the primary grades after from one to three
years in a kindergarten will far outstrip
the one of equal natural ability who has
not had the benefit of such training. Some
primary teachers who are not Of the pro-
gressive class and are without the true
spirit of teacher, find them annoying and
Objectionable. The children are not used
to restraint are anxious to know the
why's" of everything, are quick to detect
mistakes on the part of the teacher and are
very wide awake generally.
The kindergarten is an entertaining scene
and is both a play and a WOrkhOuSe. No
strict restraints or rules are imposed, but in
everything the children are encouraged to
express their own ideas and disposition, and
are taught to seek the proper expression.
The child's mind is drawn out and is given
something upon which to exercise its pow
ers. 1t is natural in everything. No tasks
are set, but in everything the child's activity
and ambition is stimulated and fed. The
order is but little more strict than in we'll
regulated nursery, and the children are al
lowed to talk as much as they please when
they are not SO engrossed in their play that
I they find no time to talk. Songs are
i taught them and the work is con-
! stantly varied with games and
exercises. Every imaginable thing is
! brought in from the great world around
them and talks are given upon them. The
work of the kindergarten is play to the
children, everything being made attractive
to them and culture is rapidly and uncon-
sciously acquired. The children never fail
to become very much in love with the
teacher and the work, leaving it with re-
greet and never creeping like snail I'M
willing to school. In one of the private
institutes of this city, where kindergarten
work is feature, pupils who have left it
for higher grades are allowed to visit it on
certain days as reward for excellence, and
the opportunity is eagerly sought.
Among the first ideas developed in the
work are those of number, form, color and
beauty. The principal agencies for the de-
velopment of these are drawing, sewing on
cardboard, stick laying, mat weaving, clay
modelling, paper folding, paper cutting. per-
fOrating, Intervening and block work.
The work done by the little ones after a
short time is astonishing i'll its perfection,
beauty and elaborate design. Suggestions
only are made by the teacher and the child
works out his own designs of
beauty, many of which would beau
tify a pretentious wall, or furnish
acceptable material for decorative work.
!. e :: rs: Is s;: ]; ::: 81: