Telegram-herald., 1891-03-30
.CHILDREN'S SCHOOLS
Plan and Purpose Of the Modern
kindergarten
DEyELOPIEyI OF MIND AND BODY
Joseph usssenanss pensities Of shs
Wsrd Compared With That sf
Lad Detailed Resume st
Its oblee1

Joseph Houseman told the Board Of
Education recently thai the word kan
dergsrlen means ''chiidrens' garden"
Kate Douglass wlggan, the author Of
very eagagsng pamphlet on the sub@e ct
OF kindergarten instruction. tells the
story of California boy who shouted
10 MS companions TO look out, for ''the
teacher o. kids guards Is comm down
the street" Whether the kindergarten
be called IN EDglssh the ehiidren's gar.
den or the kids' guards, IL - very ceT-
tam that as a reality of modern educa-
lonai method, IL has wholly ootgrown
not only It's original name but lie org
mai puipase. Mr. uonseman told tne
Board oi Education. the kindergarten
is OF German orlgt, and MAS devised as
means OF enabling the puolic 10 take
care tor the young children of mothers
WHO had 10 support families 10y their
daily toll, but who were prevented from
leaving home by the necessity Of caring
for the younger members of The family.
The children gardens We're instituted
10 obviate tins dlfticulty OF poor noth-
ers. The children were taken Ia The
gardens IN large numbers 10 be cared
for. I1lus congregated, the problem OF
caring for them became greater than
the first projectors OF the kindergarten
had dreamed, and thus the systematic
training OF very young chlidren became
a science, not willingly adopted, bat
forced upon the attention OF the nine
teen.h century by the stress of circum-
stances. Like many another subject
which has become Illuminated 10y the
mere act of turning upon lt
earnest human attention., the
early training OF the young
has now taken It's place among the spe-
cial pursuits of some OF the best minds
of our century. The discoveries already
made and the results already attained
have led many specialists IN THIS line OF
work 10 believe that the whole history
of the race of man hangs upon the sys-
TEN of education which lies at tue
foundation OF the kindergarten.
Physical Culture of the Young.
On the subject of physical culture.
the pamphlet above referred 10 says:
"The admirable physical culture that
goes on IN the kindergarten Is all IN the
right direction. Psychologists know as
much about morality as ministers OF
and women into crime spring as often
from unhealthy bodies as from weak
wills and callous consciences. Nile
fancies and seasuous appetltes grow
stronger aud more terrible when q
feeble physique and low vitality offer
no resistance. Deadly vices are nour-
ished IN the weak, diseased bodies that
are penned, day after day, IN filthy,
crowded tencsnents. Ii we could with
draw every 3-year-old child from these
physically enfecbling and morally
brutalizing Influences, and give them
three or four hours day OF sunshine,
fresh air, and healthy physical exer-
else, We should be dong humanity an
inestimable service, even IL we attempt
ed nothing more. | have tired, as
briefly as might in justice TO the SUBJ
ject. 10 emphasize the following points:
THAT We must act up 10 our convic-
tons with regard 10 the value of pre-
ventlye work. IL we are ever obliged
TO choose, let US save children.
THAT the relation of the kinder
garten TO social reform is simply that,
a. plan of education, Il offers us va,
uable suggestions IN regard 10 the
mental, moral, and physical culture of
children, which, IN vlew OF certain cry
ing evils of the day, we should do well
10 follow.
Essential Features stated.
"The essential features of the kinder
earten which bear special relation 10
the subject are ss follows
"The symmetrical development of
the chiId's powers, considering him
neither as all mind, all soul, nor all
body, bat as q creature capable of de-
won't feeling, clear thinking, noble do
ing.
1.-THE attempt TO make so-called
"morai culture" little less immoral,
the rational method OF discipline, look
ing 10 the growth of moral, self-direct-
ing power IN the child the only pro-
per discipline for future citizens OF
free republic.
"The development of certain
practical virtues, the lack Of
which 10 endangering the prosperity Of
the nation: namely. economy. thrift,
temperance, self reliance. frngalsty,
industry. courtesy, and all the sober
host t.--none of the drswing-rooin &C
compiisbmenis, and therefore IN small
demand.
"The emphasis placed upon manual
training. especially IN the development
Oh tIe ttlitu titattt attifitfs
"The training of the sense of beauty.
harmony aud order: It's ethical as well
as esthebcal significance.
"The insistence upon the moral
effect of happiness; Joy the favorable
climate Of childhood.
''The training Of the chiid's socisl
nature; an attempt 70 teach the broth
erhood OF man as well as the Father
hood OF God.
"The realization that pure body has
almost a. great nm influence on morals
as pure mind.
81 do not say that the consistent
practice OF these principles VIII iring
| the millennium IN the twlnkiing en-
eve, but do affirm that they are the
thought-germs of that better education
which shall prepare humanity for the
new earth over which shail arch the
new heaven"