New-York tribune., 1896-11-15
STUDYING THE KINDERGARTEN.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
VISIT THE FRoEBEL ACADEMY.
HOW THE PRINCIPLES LAID DOWN BY FRoEBEL
ARE CARRIED OUT IN THE PRIMARY AND

ARE CARRIED OUT IN THE PRIMARY AND
ACADEMIC GRADES.
Several members of the Special Committee
Kinderrartens recently appointed by the Board OF
Education and of the standing Committee on
Studies which together have In charge the impor-
ant question Of introducing kindergartens into the
public schools Of Brooklyn. spent an interesting
and profitable forenoon Friday at the Froebel
Academy. Their purpose was to see how In this
model school, as It Is generally recognized to be.
the principles laid down by Froebel and practically
excmphcd IN the kindergarten are carried out also
IN the primary classes and the higher grades In THIS
academy. The members Of the Board OF Education
present were Mrs. NJ +. Jacobs. Miss l. NJ Chap
man. Miss L. II. Perry, Colonel John Y. Culyer and
Charles y. Chadwick Frank II. Babbott would
have been with them had he not been called out or
town and Professor Hooper. had he not been occu-
pied elsewhere by other pressing business
The Froobel Academy. 1t may be stated by way
Of explanation. is a nelghborhood school near
Tonnkns Park which has grown out Of a little
kindergl lren started thirteen fourteen years ago
bv Il few families who felt the need Of the best
education that could be obtained for their children.
In a few years 1t developed into a primary school.
and as the children older academic grades
were added the same idea running through the
whole Of them. Now IT has about 800 pupils. most
Of whom enter the kindergarten at the age OF four
and remain for ten years-two years in the kinder
rartcr four IN the primary classes and four In the
academic grades They then ready to enter
the high schools or the advanced classes in the
Lending private schools OF the city. The Froebel
Academy about three years ago provided with
a new building but is already in need OF more
room and efforts under way TO secure a
building fund that will enable II to enlarge Its
ma teria resources
The visitors we e cordially received by the prin-
cipal Miss Eva r. Murphy. and were invited TO
enter the Kindergarten room, bright and sunny
apartrnent on the frst floor. where fifty or more
children forming ring In the centre or the
room In the opening exercises they were joined
by the chill lren Of the first primary grade who left
the kindergarten last year. The songs Of Good
Morning" Greeting TO the Sunshine" etc. were
given with spirit and with the movements OF hands
and arms that essential part or the Kinder
garten training, and called out approving remarks
from the outsiders. why they just like birds,
remarked one of the ladies OF the Board Of Educa-
tion.
After the Lords Prayer had been repeated by all
with bowed heads the primary children withdrew
to their upstairs while the little tots INDUCED
In marching. skipping. clapping their hands and
other exercises with games and songs. Then the
big circle was broken. three tables brought
out and the children divided into groups. with one
Of the Undergraduates In charge Of each. and began
designs with little trianges squares and the like
the individuality OF each one being regarded and
each being allowed to make what he or she chose.
Ar interesting part OF the earlier exercises the
relation OF part of the story Of Hawatha by Miss
Skinner the director of the kindergarten. and the
singing of one two OF the Indian songs by the
After hour in this part OF the school. the men,
bers of the Board Of Education proceeded 10 the
second floor OF the building and observed lesson
ir arithmetic number work, 1t is called In the
Froebel. given by Miss Roethgen to the first
primary class, the graduates so to speak. from
Of last OIiecf lessons had
the foremost place the demonstration. and II
would be a dull child indeed who could fail. after
seems and sharing in IT, 10 est clear idea OF the
A lesson given by Miss Stavely to the second
primary class was next seen by the visitors
and her questions and explanations gave the clear
est idea TO the little boys and girls Of their pecu-
larI,es habits etc Ihe forenoon vas vas we gssd ad
Another change then made this time to the
room OF the fourth primary class. In charge OF Miss
Kelton. A lesson in geography was In progress,
and IL was easy that the same principles
were followed in this part OF the school. and that
there is no break between the kirdergarten ana the
for the visitors to inspect the four academic
classes where. Miss Murphy assured them. the
same plan was followed
themselves as much pleased with all they had seen,
and IL any of them had such thought before their
minds must have been dsa o9sea OF tne iasa .na a. !,
order make 1t fit into the public school system OF
the city The true way of looking at the matter Is
that the system as II exists should undergo such
modi0cations as may be required to adapt ii to the
Kindergarten. The principles on which the latter
Is based are fundamental ana tne easy transition ,h
rrades was adequately demonstrated TO the minds
~ the visitors to the Froebel Academy
.een a., what hat Mrs Jacobs Colonel cuyer and the
others saw on Friday. there wouio DC no possaoe