Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-09-22
lCOMMUNICATED
The Kindergarten.

III use IN America LOT many years. But
there are still many mothers who ask
"What is the kindergarten and why
should l send my child to it ?" Too
many fathers, too, although they wish
their children to have oil the education.
al advantages which they can obtain
for them, understand so little of the
kindergarten methods and aims that
they cannot feel that they are paving
the tuition to any particular purpose.
Both father and mother will, proba-
bly,, admit that the kindergarten has
undoubted advantages, since the child
rem are we'll taken care of by well edu.
Gated teachers, since they are happy
and learn pretty songs and games. The
little boy who told his mother that be
loved to go to kindergarten "because it
happied him up So" was unconsciously
an eloquent advocate of that system.
These results of the kindergarten
naturally follow from the principles
which underlie its foundation, but they
show only a part OF what the child is
gaining. A tiny girl who saw more
deeply than she knew, once said that
while you thought you were only
playing in Kindergarten you were real.
~ learning all the time"
Every mother knows the three-fola
nature OF her baby. For the first wears
of his life, his bodily wants are her
chief care. Meanwhile the mind aud
soul are left to develop as they will for
the most part. Later, when he is sent
to school, his mind is occupied. while
bodily and spiritual wants are over
looked. II two of these natures could
be made to sleep while the third is be.
ing developed, this method of eGuca-
ton might be very good, but while the
child is growing physically, he is also
making just as rapid progress in one
direction or another, mentally and spir-
i;ually. Thus we find it impossible to
separate the unity of his three-iold na.
ture.
Then comes the question, How can
these three sides of his character be de-
veloped with uniformity? After study.
lug the different educational systems
we shall find hat the kindergarten is
the only institution which recognizes
the triple nature of the child, and his
| relation to nature, God and man.
| The life of Froebel, the great German
educator and originator of the kinder,
garten, was entirely devoted TO the
work of perfecting a system which
should provide a harmonious develop
ment of the body, mind and spirit Of
the child. No n who has read of his
life and works will say that he lived
and labored in vain. His work was
not purely theoretical. For years he
labored among the children around his
home, proving the wisdom of his theo-
ries. Since his death his ideas have
been eagerly seized upon and carried
out by many who recognize in them
the capitalization of the new philoso-
ply concerning children, the keynotes
Of which are happiness and a harmoni.
jus growth.
1t is only possible to indicate in out
line how this development is provided
for by the Froebel system. The exer.
else of the body is obtained by march.
ing, gymnastics and activity Of every
sort, while every song and game has its
easy lesson for the higher natures. In
the simple Lessons of color and form the
foundation is laid for the future know
ledge of art and mathematics. Science,
too, has its place. The flowers have a
new meaning to the children as they
are taught to appreciate their
beauty and become acquainted
with the useful root servants and leaf
servants. On one occasion a child
brought a cocoon to the Kindergarten,
and as the kindergartener told the story
of the little house and its inmate, when
would some time come forth q beauti-
full butterfly, the children listened WIKI
absorbing interest. One little fellow
exclaimed eagerly: sob, please, Mis-
can't we help it come out?" Her
explanation, that the butterfly must
wait until it was stronger and until lis
wings were all painted, satisfied the
children and taught them to restrain J
their own desires, and to let ma
ture take her own, slow course.
1t is e%miuently necessary if children
are to have the joyousness Of youth,
winch rlgnt1ully belongs 10 them, ana
a love of humanity, that they should as
sociate with other children of the same
age. a child will not develop natural
ly if he is constantly with a nurse or
older members of his own family. It is
as if q tender flower were expected to
live under the same conditions as have
been found best for full grown trees.
The tree draws much of its nourish-
ment from hidden sources and asks
nothing of the gardener, while the
little flower requires sunshine, nour-
ishment and an intelligent, fostering
care, if it is to come into the fullness OF
its stature.
Doubtless many of these elements
necessary for growth can be supplied
in a loving home; but in this busy age
how many mothers can say that they
are expanding the time and careful
thought, which is so im|perativtly
needed for the development and train
of the little souls entrusted to their
care? NJ.
EINE QUALITY HUCK TOWELS, pure