Morning journal and courier., 1894-04-03

9yNW { If children are annually sent into public school life with ideals and tendencies which arc 60 conspicuous in kindergarten | training and too often conspicuously ab sent in the home and street training, the | association has proved its right to an ex- lstence. Another circle of influence emanating l from these associations is the work for I mothers: Says one report; (san Francisco) ''It is our aim to group the mothers according to their needs, cares, etc and as far as pos sible, to bring something of new hope and comfort into their lives Familiar talks on hygiene, physical care and training of children, and something of domestic enonomy are given at these meettngs."
 Miss Brooks of New York College for Teachers writes: s'Rsgular monthly meet- ings for mothers are held. The kinder gartners began this work timidly, but find great satisfaction in 1t. We consider 1t ono of the most useful factors in our effort to reach the homes. Occasionally meet ing is held for the fathers"
 Mrs. Alice F. Putnam of Chicago, in re- ply to Q question concerning "Mothers' mestings" says: "We try to have short and simple lectures on homee keeping, each time taking up some one special thought-as care of the skin, need for gen. eral clssnlineas in the home.
 ssSometimes practical questions concern ing the best way to help the children out of evil habits, dishonesty, untruthfulness, are discussed. We always have . little music, sometimes stereopticon views, and end with coffee or chocolate and cake" E Yy~k I- sv <hA of the busy mothers must these meetings bot Possibly the idea of help rather than of punishment in case of wrong dutpg may never before have entered their minds.
 In one of the New York mothers meet ings the mothers gather in a friendly circle and over coffee and cake talk about the children Is carried on. In simple man ner the Kindergarten ideas are CT plainsd. some of the touching stories are told, and together are sung the songs of the kinder garten.
 All of this and other kindred work for mothers whose minds are SO full of the clamorous humdrum of daily life that little time is found in which to consider the welfare of the children beyond the present needs. To such persons, perhaps, the new impulse which 8 change of scene and thought is SO sure to give and the in- | spiration of coming into contact with other minds may be of as much direct help as the ideas received at these meetings. But with this work the kindergarten as- | eocistion does not rest from it's lsbors for l mothers It would interest all mothers in | the principles carried out in the kindergar- 1 ten. To this end study classes for mothers are formed. "Froebei's Education of Man. | and the "Mother Play" are among the 1 works taken up in these classes. Miss Brooks in speaking of such classes says: "At9 3 University place 6 class for mothers has been held this year, ss for sev eral years past, with excellent success. | These mothers come from the wealthy and l cultured class. At present two courses for mothers are planned for Harlem. A class is also held st Pratt institute" l In connection with the kindergarten o1 the New York college settlement there is 6 "mothsrs' club in character similar te those already described.
 The normal school has proved to be another exceedingly useful line of work 1T ] connection with those already mentioned | In return for tuition the young women ss sist in the different kindergartens, thereby greatly reducing expenses, and facilitating the work.
 By working in and for these free kinder Rsrtens tn y become acquainted with thu missionary side of the work and go iron their training course with not only knowledge of methods, but with enthu siasm for the principles underlying thu methods.
 As has been stated, graduates of thes schools have been instrumental in organ iKtng kindergsrtens, associations and train ing schools in other cities.
 The alumnse associations have in severa instances given shape to the missionsr. impulse with which they have been i'm bued by themselves supporting free kin 1 dergartens.
 The Golden Gate association hopes to b able. eventually, to admit to It's free train ing course all young women who care t. give the necessary time and study, bcliev ing with the Chicago association that sucl study will be of value, even though actua kindergarten practice ia not intended.
 The infiuence of kindergarten sssocia tions also reaches in direction of the publi schools. Mrs. Putnam of Chicago says 'I go 6 zoe d deal to the public schools il neighboring towns featuring on such kin , dergarten princip ples as are of most use t. I primary teachers" In Washington las March, at an association meeting in tn drawing rooms of Mics Clara B 1T ton. 1t wa decided to bring the influence of the ssso citation to bear upon the commissioners o the district urging the establishment o kindergsrtens in the public schools.
 This typifies many movements made b. different associations in direction of tn public school.
 A novel feature of the San Franciec work is the make up of the sab associs of the free kindergartens. As Illustration note the following: Merchants Free Kin dergsrten; Producs Exchange Free Kin dergsrten; Insurance Free Kindergarten Attorneys Free Kindergsrten; Tw Friends Free Kindergarten.
 It is seldom, think, that business mel are led to feel that the ties which tend t unify them in affairs of business may als make them units of power in affairs o benevolence.
 And now what is the other side of tn storya What are the different communitie doing for their respective kindergarten as sociationsf
 So much time has been devoted to tn work of associations that little more tha bare enumeration of facts on the commu nifty side can bs given. Here, however, i partial answer to the question:
 l. For eight years ths railroads of Ssn Frar cisco have carried kind srga arten children to pic l mics, festfvais and fairs free of charge.
 2. CIurcnes have given subscan,l aid by col lections, use of lecture rooms and general inf
 3. Ladies have given drawing-room entertain nenus for the benefit of the kinder garten asso ! citations.
 4 Cordial and spprsctative audiences hav gathered at the public meetings of the associa tious.
 5 To penny savings bauks conneo ed witl 1 other org anizations have been admitted depos it's made by free kindergarten children. ! G. Frfonos have visited the kndergartens. | 2. Excursions have been provided for the kiu dergartsn oh l1ren by single individuals or b! groups of psrsons
 C. Variou. gifts of pictures. fruit, flowers, poi | ted plant-. etc, have been rendered.
 Newsp .pers have generously given bot space and editorials.
 All of this, and much more gathere, from various printed reports and from let ters printed in response to SD cisl inqui riss, testtfies to the influence of ktudergsr 1 ten associations in other citieP. Just wha the Elm City Free Kindergarten sssocis tion shall be to our own city is a uestio, which must be ans wered by the association itself and it's responsive friends.
 E J. PHELPS.
 COMING MEETING