Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-03-03
MORNING IN THE KINDER
GA RTE,N

| ~ MOhNlINS LIN hC AlNOI4l'
GARTEN.
For the benefit of those who hsve
never spent morning in the kinder.
garten and for those members of the
Alexandria Kindergarten Association
whose duties make it impossible for
them to see how much good their liber-
ality has accomplished, it occurred to
me to write an account of one morning
spent in the Alexandria kindergarten
last week 1t opened at o'clock with
the twenty-five children and kinder
gartner sitting together in circle,
bringing, unconsciously, to the child's
m.nd feeling of unity and harmony,
two thoughts that enter every part of
the kindergarten. After good morn
ing song that appeared to awaken the
little ones and put them into happy,
receptive mood, the weather was noted
and the sunshine, pouring in through
the windows, brought forth song of
the sun, which tells the children the
many things the sun does for the earth.
Through the sun, which had brought
warmth and brightness and enabled the
children to get to kindergarten, they
were led to feeling of thankfulness
which was expressed in simple prayer
that would apply to any denomination.
Then came song of praise, which,
Judging from the twenty-five little
faces, was deeply felt. Then came the
morning talk on General Washington,
of which the children were full, all
eager to give out what had been told
them on previous mornings, the topic
of the work having been introduced on
Monday in way that would most
deeply touch the childish heart and
mind-George Washington as boy,
owning horse named Hero, of which
he was very fond; his care of that
horse, his love for all animals. Later
they had talked of his truthfulness,
obedience and courage. Washington es
a surveyor, asoldier, and Friday found
them ready and anxious to hear of the
great General Washington aud
why he is now spoken of as
the father of his country. The little
children were not only allowed to speak
freely and spontaneously, but were en-
couraged to do so, only keeping in
mind that they must not all talk at
once. but wait politely for one another,
which in many cases brought into play
great patience. After their talk they
sang America" and waved their flags
1t was then time to take their chairs
to the tables ready for work, but before
they sat down they had little march
and run, then formed the circle again,
all standing ready for some physical ex-
ercises, pleasant and simple for the
baby muscles. After this they were
ready for work and marched to their
chairs to do something in memory of
George Washington.
Under the direction of the kinder
gartner they built, with the cubes and
cylinders-called by Froebel, the found
er of this education for children, the
second gift-a monument, noting well
the strength of the foundation made of
the four-inch cubes, each filling its
place exactly. Then came the column
cylinders, which had to be strongly
built to stand time and winds, not too
high, but in good proportion. At the
base the children placed picture of
Washington, at the top small Amerl-
can flag. At the completion of this
work, in which eacl, child had shown
perfect concentration, some of the boys
voluntarily broke into song of martial
music, which was not stopped, but en-
couraged, and all sang with a will "My
Country tits of Thee" Then came a
spirited march with flags, some of the
little ones making believe they were
riding on horse, stepping high like a
| proud animal, some played on imagi-
nary drums, and others with their hands
| made the bugle. The ''call" made by
some of the children would have started
into action a Fort Myer officer.
After the march came light lunch
of small piece of bread and butter or
a cracker. not eaten because the chill
6ren were hungry as much as to help
them eat daintiiy. The lunch over
and the crumbs thrown to the birds,
the little ones were ready to march to
| the circle for the games, a most I'M
portant part of the child's education.
| 1t is here that he lives the life OF the
world about him of which he has been
studying. When flying like birds or
galloping like horses he feels himself
one with both and is brought into SYM
pathy with animal life. When playing
the cobbler, the blacksmith, the miller
or baker, his knowledge of the work is
not only enlarged, but he sees how
grateful he should be to those in whom
he must depend for work. He sees
that work must be well done if the
workman will be patronized, and he
feels that more than dollars and cents
is due the good workman. And the
muscles that are brought into action
gives the child physical strength. So
r. is that the games develop the child
physically, morally and intellectually
After the games come the occupation
nario6 when each child was given 9
sonsre piece of thin card board on
which was drawn and pricked flag
Everything about the work was on suc1 q !
a large scale that no possible injury te
the eyes could be the result.
This work was given out syssemsata y
Gala by one of the children, and taken
| I'D in the same manner. II any cnllu
had soiled hands he washed them Do