The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-13

Burritt. who. from the first. was impressed
DO this work.
Mrs: Blaker gave UP a fine position and
devoted the best OF herself 10 the study or
Froebelian principles. she took charge of a
charity kindergarten IN Philadelphia, where
her spirit and strength In the work was
apoiis as training teacher. and was. for a
snort time. in the Hadley and Roberts
A ssy ns hsr Mr. Hadley and Mr. shorsrdge
nected with the Hadley and Roberts Acad-
envy IL was Cherished part OF our enter
order. To this end we corresponded ex-
tensively with leading educators OF the
lnited states. and used every available
means TO find a competent principal. Tho
result was that we chose Ms. fsiaker. We
are more than pleased to testify that she
mas met our highest expectations.
when the Children's Aid Society was es-
tabiished. she was asked to take charge
ana since that time she has devoted her
LIE 10 the development Of this work. In the
was established there has been great
change. One OF the mill owners in this dis
trict says that the kindergarten is worth
seNeral hundred dollars a year to him. All
property is of more value. Where there ex-
listed all forms of vice are row law-abiding
eitiaens. through the ail-2ervading jnfiu-
From this small school the work has
Grown until there are now under the one
nestle training schools and four housekeep-
ers' schools: also kindergarten departments
in the Deaf and Dumb and Blind Institutes
OF the city ana a number OF private kinder
gartens.
"A plan for work in the homes has been
organized which Is of great value. All fam
lilies are visited frequently and they soon
learn to go to the kindergarten teacher
for advice and help. There are instruction
classes for the mothers. in which the teach
ers discuss with them points of manage
ment and discipline-food. temper and many
seemingly trivial influences of their homes.
which go to make or mar their children's
characters. Twice a year mass meeting
is held by Mrs Blaker. The mothers from
all kindergarten districts are invited and
entertained In the true spirit OF fraternity
and social equality This event is looked
forward TO with pleasure by all. and is
talked of for months afterward. The homes
are reached also by the Circulating LIBRA
~ in connection with each kindergarten.
while Mrs. Bakers influence in the
schools is far-reaching. II represents only
one phase of her work She is the director
and guiding spirit of each department in
the large Normal School Here she person
ally conducts the classes in psychology and
mother play, and her work has become so
popular that she has been earnestly So
licited for permission TO join these classes
by numbers OF people interested in child
II quote from member of the executive
board: 1t is the opinion OF the Free Kin
dergarten and Children's Aid Society that
the present high state of efficiency in the
free kindergal tens and domestic training
schools of Indianapolis is due TO the wise
ness for the needs of little children. and
the unusual executive ability of the super
intendent. Mrs. Eliza A. Baker. This most
satisfactory result is due largely also TO the
philosophic teaching of Mrs. Biaker and her
assistants, by which the kindergartners
trained by them imbibe the true spirit OF
Froebers educational theories, as well as
an enthusiasm for humanity, and clear
conception of the application of these theo-
ries which render them not only conscien-
tious but intelligent kindergartners.'
indianapolis is proud Of Mrs. Blaker, and
glad OF the wide recognition which her
work has received outside of the city. She
was appointed one of the jurors at the
OF Liberal Arts Hall In the international
session at Toronto she served secretary
of the National Teachers Association. Each
year she receives numerous fiattering offers
to leave her present position. but her heart
is with the work which owes its life TO her
enthusiastic and unremittipg care.
1T would be difficult to estimate prop
erly Mrs. Bakers thirteen years OF labor
in Indianapolis. The teachers trained In her
school are so. endowed With her spirit and
enthusiasm that the work Is rapidly spread
Ing Young women have. gone from here
TO establish free kindergartens in Detroit.
many cities which wish to establish this
work on the same basis. there are calls for
teachers. and two organizers go from here
in the fall to carry out their leaders prin-
ciples in large cities The forces set in
motion by her will go on. and many chill
dren yet unborn will have purer lives and
influences. a better chance in the world.
and increased opportunities for happiness
and future usefulness"