The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-08-08


The child enters the world enwrap-
ped in wonderful possibilities, pos
sessing the tendencies Of complete
character, and these only await the
touch of sympathy, and awakening
influence. III we would train for man
hood and womauhood, we must begin
in early childhood. FrOebel recoS-
nized the child a a great bundle OF
activity as demonstrated ia play anu
every act He felt the Importance OF
regulating il in SUCH way as TO Ieau
it step by step naturally into WoTh, 50
that as much real JOY should spring
ont of the one as the other. In other
words, ne desired a complete blending
of play with work, for ''It Is through
his activity that the child comes 10 a
knowledge of himself" Hence Froe-
bel so arranged his system as seen In
the various gifts, occupations, games,
stories and songs, that the result
should be a quickening into life OF the
moral, physical, mental, social ana
spiritual part of its being.
That the significance of the system
is being acknowledged and accepted
by intelligent men and women
throughout the world cannot be de-
MED. The dissemination Of its prln-
ciples have been laid upon men and
women of high intellectual attain
ments. Among these may be men
toned the Baroness Won MarenhoItZ
Bulow. She was a faithful and enthu-
siastic follower of FrOebel, having re-
ceived a thorough training under MIN.
She travelled extensively, being sue
cessful in awakening wonderful IN
terest in the movement. she estao-
Iished the first kindergarten perlodl-
cal. Her Normal School, Tor KIN
dergarteners is perhaps tine most per
feet of the kind existing, because lt Is
80 truly conducted after the reformers
spirit.
Last year QS93l, news came an
nouncing the death of this most noble
woman. OF truth it may be said
that thousands of women have been
helped through her influence to higher
and better lives. 1t is said OF her that
the result of her personal work has
already entered into the educational
institutions and literature of nations
to an extent not yet recorded OF any
other woman in the annals OF educa-
ton. Her niece, the young baroness
Won Bulow, is carrying on the work
of her aunt with a great degree OF
earnestness. 1t may be said OF Queen
Victoria that she has not only had
her own children trained strictly by
the Froebelian system, but she has
given inspiration to others; among
these is the Princess Helena, of Rus
STA, who gladly accepts the title of
"Iiady Patroness" of the training
school for kindergartners.
The Austrian Government recognizes
the great public value of the kinder
garter, as may be seen from the fact
that il requires all pupils of normal
schools throughout the empire, of
10 Of ms
closely study the principles and it is
compulsory on the people to send all
their children to some kindergarten.
Kindergartens are now widely esta-
blished in all the German States. In
England, in 1872, an association was
formed. Huxley, the famous scientist,
was a member, and gave his influence
with other noted men in the founding
of an institution for training kinder
gartners in Manchester. In this same
year probably the most important in
stitution on the Continent was found
ed in Dresden.
In Rome, in 1891, there were twelve
free kiDdergartens under Government
support.
Here and there in the "Oriental
world" the education of the early
child-lIfe is receiving attention. Even
those so long bound by the shackles
of conservatism and superstition are
catching the spirit of the child educa-
ton, Is may be seen by messages from
India. One bearing the name of
Ramabai, a well-educated high-caste
Hindoo woman, says: You may put
my name among the workers in the
interest of the kindergarten system.
My kindergarten training class is
prospering." Word comes from Mrs.
4 hn hann
India. She has begun work in her
girls school, and is constantly being
urged to open a school in the city near
where she lives.
The fact that so many of the edu-
Gated natives are accepting the system
is surely an indication that the work
is advancing.
With eighty millions of little chill
dren in this darkened land, is there
not wonderful opportunity for the
elevation of child life?
During the last years of FroebePs
life his thoughts were anXiOusly turn
ing TO the possibilities of his new sys-
tenn. With tender sOlicitude, and
of a prophetic vision, he
penetrated the future, catching as it
seemed an outline, dim though il was,
Of its progressive, enlightening influ-
ence.
When the Emperor of Germany
prohibited his work it is said that the
venerable founder of the kindergarten
turned his thoughts TO the New
World across the seas. With feelings
Of confidence he recognized America ;
spirit of intellectual advancement,
which he considered the only one in
the world with which his creative
method was in complete harmony.
He said, Now if they Will not recOg-
niZe and support my cause in the
/ will go to America where
new life is freely unfolding itself. and
q new education OF man will fluid a
footing, and where the interests of
childhood will be lovingly and faith
fully nurtured.n
Strong was his desire TO personally
introduce the work into the United
States, but his advanced stage of life
made this an impossibility. Perhaps
we may trace a partial fulfillment of
MS prophecy as we still further con-