The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1895-08-23

4
lpations, provision is made tor
the training of the hand aud
fingers. which is so necessary in
most of the Industrial pursuits
of life. Graduatedfrom a senu-
inc kindergarten, child reioices
wholes, aud is taught the har.
mony of form and color, as well
in an individual self polse, and
power, which makes his own skill.
and judgment important factors
of his future progress. He is
not likely every other child who
has been in his class, he is him
self. Thus the kindergarten
while it does not claim to impart
complete instruction in the rudi.
ments of any science, does claim
to take the unframed children
from all sorts of influences. and
start them Alright on the high
road to knowledge, and good
citizenship. A mind thus sys-
tematically trained. will make a
good witness in court, a general
in the field, sincere lover of
truth and accuracy, and there
fore good citizen.
But the question is asked what
practical use-will all this be to
the children; in school we can
see how they learn to read and
write, from the beginning; your
kindergarten may amuse lin,
but the school where he learns to
read and write, demands greater
respect.
We all acknowledge the value
of learning to read and write; we
also hold that the years before
the school age can be used to gain
knowledge by the children, that
will be a valuable help to them
in later reading aud writing. The
kindergarten utilizes the time of
the active child before the regu.
lar school life, 1t lets him learn
his lessons fromlife, and through
the senses, the eye, ear, hand
ard foot. Aquick eagerness to
learn aboutiobie by @isica he
is surrounded is excited; and thus
the foundation for readily laid.
Through the stories told HIM. q
love for literature. and the
study Of history have been i'm
planted. He will have learned
in his plays of trade-life, the
halls and quarters in a whole;
the measures, pints, quarts,
inches, feet, yards, lines, angles,
and squares He has a knowl-
edge of the fundamental forms of
all nature, as seen in the ball.
cube and cylinder. Names of
days, months, and seasons, are
learned, and the use of the clock.
Some knowledge is gained of the
usefulness.of the heavenly bodies;
of different soils; bodies of water
and interdependence of nations,
as we'll as of individuals. All
this furnishes the foundation for
an appreciative study of geog-
raphy. In drawing there is no
attempt at teaching art, but it is
simply used to help the child
give outward expression, to in.
ward impression. The child
learns all the principal parts of
his body. their use. needs and
care. Ability is given to dis.
tinguish the primary colors, to
follow dictation. He is trained
to obedience, attention, and an
orderly method of thought and
word.
Where ever is found the spirit
of genuine play, glad interest in
physical and mental activity,
hearty good fellowship. and a
strong and peaceful atmosphere
order-there is found the true
kindergarten. 1t is the con-
Meeting link between the home
and the school.
Is the perfect kindergarten
upon earth? No, for that pre-.
supposes the perfect kindergart-
ner. There has been but one
perfect Teacher upon earth, and
it is only as we follow His plan,
that we can in any degree realize
our ideal. . Extracts from Kinter-
garten Magazine.