The Portland daily press., 1891-07-06
Portland kindergarten Normal Glass.

Saco sets an example to larger places in it
activity in good work. The Educational ant
Industrial Union has record to be proud of
Miss Martha w. Fairfield, Mrs. B. F. Hamll
ton and other efficient and whole soulet
women lend themselves to the cause. TIL,
leading features of the Union at present, al
conducted in Saco, are the free Kindergarten
which in summer is continued, with an ad
ditional teacher, as a vacation kindergarten
kitchen garden, sewing school, free carpen
try and manual training class and free
summer cooking school.
Saco's interest in the free kindergarten
prompted Miss Fairfield to invite Miss Nor
ton of Portland to repeat the exercises Of
her graduating class, recently given In Port
land.
Friday Miss A. N. Norton and Miss F. M
Scales, teachers; Miss Louise w. Thomas
Mrs. A. B. Beck, Miss L. X. Woodman and
Miss Z. q. Humphrey of Yarmouth, the
members of the graduating class, went tc
Saco by the noon train. Other Portland
people attending the exercises were Miss
Plummer. Miss Hudson. Mrs. Fl. l. Robin.
son, Miss Carroll, Miss Nelly Thomas, Mrs
e. G. Jordan. Miss Weston, Mr.. Fritz 81.
Jordan and Miss Jordan.
Miss F. G. Berry played the piano accom-
paniments for the kindergarten songs. City
Hall held good audience.
The Rev. Mr.. Marsh made brief opening
address in which he said that while we used
to say the proper study Of mankind is man
we now substitute for man, children. We
are raalizino Q navor hofora bo.y ;,o,or+o,
work is the training of the child. Gradu.
ates who had given years Of effort in pre-
paratory work were supposed to be fitting
for the older pupils needs; now as much, OF
more preparation Is required in educating
kindergartners. Mr.. Marsh spoke of the
skill and ability requisite to the proper
developing of the little ones and of how
much study and care on the part of those
in charge went into every game, song and
exercise of each session.
Alter four songs by teachers and class,
which were very pleasing and were illus
trated finely by gesture, Miss Thomas read
her essay upon "The Morning Hour" She
touched upon the fact that in the earliest
molding OF the young mind lies the secret of
after good results, mental, moral and physi-
cal, and referred to the earliest hour of the
kindergarten session as giving the key to the
day. Lawfulness. the inter-dependence OF
things, orderly sequence are all factors In
the daily instructions. Miss Thomas de-
scribed music. poetry and motion as the ele-
ments entering into the development of the
little pupils minds and souls, and EN-.
phasized the symbolic meaning In the plays,
games and occupations. The essay was ex.
cellent in itself and very attractively render
ed.
The subjects of the group Of songs follow
ing, were the songs or habits OF different
birds and one upon the new moon.
Miss Woodman's paper on Kindergarten
Games and Songs" was next given, manner
and voice adding charm to her meritorious
effort. A clear presentation of Froebels's
theories was offered. with details play lead
ing to work, natural manifestations In the
child nature being understood and rightly
fostered and brought out, self government
concentration of the attention, quick OBJ
seryation-these and many other points were
dwelt upon as growing out OF the discipline
of love and liberty aimed at In the kinder
garten.
Songs Illustrative of the trades and active
pursuits preceded Mrs. Beck's essay on
"Why Should Children Attend the Kinder
garten?" also able, well expressed AMI very
interesting throughout and treating of the
general influence emanating from the REIN
ing atmosphere of the ''child's garden" The
essayist made special plea for the free or
charity kindergarten.
There is by the way movement on foot to
establish such school In our city, Saco be-
ing, like many other smaller places even in
advance of us in this direction.
Miss Humphreys paper on 1.-THE Law of
Equipoise" was omitted and more musical
selections closed the programme.
1t had been hoped Mrs. Kate Douglas
Wiggin would be present on this occasion,
but she was unable to attend.
Miss Florence j. Mack is the teacher of
Saco's free kindergarten.
Portland teachers and class are to be con-
graduated upon a most successful and
pleasant series of exercises.
1t is to be hoped their plan for Portland
free kindergarten will receive substantial
aid and furtherance from our people.