The Portland daily press., 1892-07-12
FREE KINDERGARTEN.
The First Years Work of the w. C, t. U.
Kindergarten.

kindergarten.
10 the Editor Of the Press:
The first year of the w. C. T. u. free
Kindergarten closed Thursday, June 80,
with celebration of the Fourth of July,
| and the children were sent home rejoic-
ing in paper soldier caps and real flags,
and with their minds filled with the idea
OF the freedom of our country and the
beauty and power of our flag, ideas
which cannot fail in helping to make of
them true and loyal citizens in the fu-
ture. Many of the mothers were pres
emit this last day and expressed them
selves as much pleased with the advan-
tages that the kindergarten has given
the children, and the effect that it has
had upon them, and several expressed a
desire that it might be continued through
the summer in order that the little ones
might be kept out of the streets.
During the year, q children have been
in the kindergarten, not including five or
six who have attended for few days
only. These 81 children represent %
families. The kindergartener has visit
ed in all these families, having made in
all about IS calls. In all cases she has
been received with the greatest kindness
and with urgent requests to come again,
as well as with many expressions of APP
probation for what she is doing for the
children. ''My child has improved SO
much since he attended kindergarten is
frequently heard. Of the go callers who
have visited the kindergarten, several of
them have been the mothers of the chill
dren, who in this way show their appre-
citation of the kindergarten.
Besides the contributions of money
for the support of the kindergarten,
many necessary articles have been do
mated by generous citizens. Anon them
is picture from Owen, Moore & Co.
plates and finger bowls for the lunch TIA
BILE from Rand's crockery store, three pic
lures from Mrs. S. D. Rumery, clock
from Ira Berry. Jr., dustpan and brush,
whisk broom, soap and sponge holder
from Mrs. Morse, 200 cards from Stephen
Berry, kindergarten material, including
two sets of balls and several packages of
weaving mats from Miss Norton.
The children of the Spring
street kindergarten have brought their
pennies for the children of the free kim
dergarten, and with these pennies have
been brought five trade pictures and
picture OF Froebel, the founder of the
kindergarten. In this way very friendly
relations have been established between
the two kindergartens and unconsciously
the feeling of the ''brotherhood of man.
has been fostered in both classes of chill
dren. From this list of donations it is
evident that many people are interested
in the kindergarten and many more
would undoubtedly give to this worthy
object if it's wants were better known.
The influence of the kindergarten up
on the children has been most marked.
The aim of the kindergarten is character
building and think no one who visited
the kindergarten at its beginning and
then again at its close could have failed
to see the great gain that the children
had made in self-control, unselfshness
and harmony of feeling. There has been
great change, too, in the matter of
cleanliness. Many of the children who
had to be most thoroughly washed every
day now come quite clean. feel that
the power of self-control that these chill
dren have gained is of vital Importance
and touches the root of the temperance
question.
Mrs. Beck, the kindergarten, has done
her work most faithfully and has gained
great hold on the children and the
mothers as we'll. The young ladies of
the kindergarten training class have been
of great assistance to Mrs. Beck and
have made it possible for much better
work to be done than could otherwise
have been accomplished for large num-
Der of children to be cared for.
In closing this report, / would bespeak
the interest Of the benevolent people of
Portland in this work. Iwould invite
each one to visit the kindergarten at SO
Oak street, and see for himself what is
being done. and what connection this
work has with the temperance cause.
Personal enthusiasm has much to do
with the success of any work, but an in
telligent understanding of that work is
also necessary to its perfect accomplish
ment
1t is earnestly desired that this kinder
garten should be kept open through the
summer for the benefit of the children
who will otherwise be on the streets.
The sum necessary for this purpose is
$50, nine of which have already been
pledged. Will not the people whose
children are enjoying the benefits of
country life, remember these little ones
who are not SO fortunate? All contribu-
tions will be gladly received at At South
street.
FLORENCE M. SCALES,
State Superintendent of Kindergarten
work for w. G. r. u.