Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-01-17
DR. AND uRs. HAL4.MAM.


the PuDilc school ut Friends' school,
There was an appreciativo audience
of teachers and friends Of kindergarten
education at Friends School, Fifth and
West streets, last Monday afternoon, to
meet DR.. and Mrs. w. n. Mailman of
Laporte, Ind, for many years leaders
in kindergarten work. Before DIR. Hall
man delivered his address Mrs. Hall
man was introduced to those present by
Prof. Isaac L. johnson as one who was
formerly connected with Friends
School, and of influence in the kinder
garten being finally established there.
Mrs. Mailman responsibility saying that
ii afforded her pleasure to be with people
who showed humanity in their faces. /
would wish, she said, to be in place of
my little daughter, in kindergarten,
in trying to express feeling of
adult and of child. ID is
not so much instruction as it is that
peculiar inexpressible something that
goes out from elders to youth. 1t is in
tiuence. The dress especially of lady
teachers will impress u little child. A
goddess, frivolous, light costume will i'm
| press children in similar way. The
part Of soul of paramount importance
is the religious nature which Is the in
nate essential element of the human
being, but it will not grow without en-
vironment, not only kindergarten but
from birth, the religions will be the per-
feet phase Of that element. 1t must live
in music but unless. it rouses the rclig-
iois nature it is useless. never 20
into kindergarten without feeling the
| lack or presence of religious atmos-
| ,,bnrn trifhAttt t1tht I al fpl
| other work deteriorated.
The address by DR. Ilallman on "rhc
Mission of Childhood" was most forci.
bic and logical exponent OF the need of
a different fOundational method of in
structiOn in the public schools and held
the close attention of his audience
throughout.
In his Introductory remarks DIR. Hall.
man said that he had been connected
with reforms going under name of
kindergarten reforms and principles
| going into public school work for 80
| years, his first experiences being when
the very name Of kindergarten would
arouse opposition and ridicue. Now,
he said, the kindergarten was to be
found in every community that boosted
intelligence almost, being supported
mainly by parents and by societies, and
that the primary schools throughout the
land were adopting kindergarten
metods to some extent In the uniyersi-
ties, too, he said, child study is becom-
ing universal. The kindergarten spirit
is taking control Of educational life
The kindergarten is getting gradually
into schools, but is in great danger, as
the school is unwilling to give up its
own Anticipated methods. The founda-
tional teaching and working is the bring
ing out of religious instinct in child's
life. In schools this becomes dangerous
| ground. II seems we must sooner or
later find methods of training that will
not interfere with any religious belief.
In time he said he thought it would be
possible to awaken child's reverence for
God and for lower life by other methods
than those in use. The development of
character is another great influence in
child education. The schools have trod
for long time the path Of individual
training, without reference to growing
man and woman in relation to other
men and women. Coordination is nm.
known in school room. Children are
wonderfully developed by working to.
gether. Coordination is religious
element and development of the
religious instinct. The chief thing
given by school instruction is Il certain
degree Of skin and when child knows u
few Of these things he is said to be
educated. The kindergarten says this
thing | want and must have some.
thing for which l shall want to read
aud write" The foremost thought being
that heart should be touched and not
head which when aroused starts
analytical purposes The hand, edu-
Gated by kindergarten purposes will
awaken weaker purposes in heart. This
is the Froebel system that head, heart
and hands be educated together. Its
scheme is to make child practical, not
a learner only, but a doer and lover of
mankind. The watch word Of the
kindergarten is helpful doing
Twcnty-three years ago it was almost
impossible TO get hearing in Boston
on the kindergarten question, now it is
the pet Of education there. The kinder.
gartcn methods must prevail somehow
Us truth Will always prevail.