New-York tribune., 1897-08-20

p1-RIIC SCHOOL KINDERGARTENS MAY
REDUCE IT TO -FOUR OR LOWER

EARNEST PLEA FOR WHAT SOME PERSONS CALI.
THE NURSERY SYSTEM TIE POOR chill
pRFx MUST BE CONSIDERED FAIRLY.
With the more general introduction of the kinder
rarten into the public schools much dlscusSloA
has arisen in regard TO the at which children
shau he considered eligible for admission. In both
private and charity kindergartens applicants are
usually accepted when three years old or there
abouts and no questions either the wisdom OF
right of these organizations TO take them thus
early.
In the spending of public money. however. many
argue that it is right 10 tax the State for the
tuition Of children under five years Old They MAIN
tain that .he pubic scnool is not a nursery, ana
10 make 1t sucn is an injustice 10 the taxpayer
MISS LATHROP'S ARGUMENT.
Miss Helen vi. Lathrop. wel-known kindei-
Eartner Of Oswego. says: "Of course. Will not so
so far as to declare that the public schools ought
10 be opened to babies of three years. wish
they might. but that would hardly be practical. /
do however. say decidedly Give the kindergarten
10 the child as he has reached the age of
four years for at no time in life are impressions
so indelibly made. and time are children so
neglected between the ages of two and five
years am speaking Of course. OF the great
masses of children: children whose mothers are, Of
necessity away from home the greater part OF the
day: or again. Of others In homes where the null
tpclty Of allows the motl crs but scant Time
10 devote 10 their little ones.
Left TO themselves. the children come up as best
they may. and the wonder il not that evil increases.
but that its increase is not even more rapid.
CHILDREN MUST HAVE FRIENDS
another argument in favor OF an early entrance
20 the kindergarten T. the natural socidbility Of
man IL is Just at this time Of life that the child
begins realize his need of companonShip lie j.
bound have friends. and where can he find suit
able ones? Not home for the mother. If she has
the inclination usually lacks the time necessary or
the cultivation OF his social instincts The street
Then must be his refuge and NJ seeks there with
eagernoss the society he crdy,s-usually the very
worst he could possibly have.
ITO supplement the deficiencies at home. and 10
rounteract the harmful infuel oes of the street
some provision must be ma 10 For ;he very poor
there are charity kindergartens and Cay nurseries
for the rich private schools but for this vast middle
class there is absolutely no relief.
THE PLAN or FROEBEI4
"Froebers plan was TO prevent evil rather than
IT, and it seems imposs.bl TO ward on TINS
evil in any other way than 10y opening the doors OF
public schools. kindcrSaltens ar" expensive
no doubt 50 are reformator.os and prisons. \ year
means SO much in the development of child Of
four that ii seems churlish TO grudge IT,
John Hay American Ambassador TO Great Brit
ain. expresses Il good deal OF the kindergarten
sentiment in his Little Brceches.' The rough
miner seeking his lost child the prairie. finds
him safe and warm in little hut sitting down
among the sheep. Unable 10 account for his ap-
rearance there the father concludes that the angels
swooped down and totcd him to this place of safety
and gives to his satisfaction III this forcible
1f not very elegant language:
And think that saving little child
Is s"t dcrnca Tcd-'s Sight better busnr.s
Than loahng round the Throne
"something more dangerous than prairie snow
storm menaccs little ones. and yet We are VIII
ing to sit down calmly and qubble over taxes and
what not while they wait outside the gate.
MISS HOLY WELLS VIEWS.
Miss 4 Marguerite Hoywell. Of the Meredith
Free Kindcrsartcn Brooklyn thinks that the gen
eral public docs not by any means realize Inc vital
importance of the kindergarten. Sh" says:
.Tboso who view the kndergdrten from the
standpoint Of charity fail TO discern ITS true iuhc-
ton In society. All are agreed thdt 'he o''e'op
ment and cultivation of child natuI" Is the p"Sis
OF superior civilization. but all do not agree 'ha'
the kindcrgartcn il instrument OF n'N''oP'"''''.
Tha, this should hc a matter Of doubt l. m"rVe'
10 those who comprehend the system ana nave oo-
served its results ,,,..,,r,or idea of
gifts perceive thc process Of dGVeiopm.h' S ~
cbud,s mind /, centred upon unity. He is taught
10 lay aside in their natural oin'l va, g. 1hn ha sic
pprincipe 81 constrnc,ion Then the buding-up
process begins and me WrTuS Gns pa series of OBJ
ecs familiar to the mind dr of The me G Objects crca,cd
ard illustrates how wants are grath''-
THE INFLUENCE SN HOMES
Thus the children Of the community Obtain ]"
the kindcrgaricm their first opportunity 10 '''"'
new wants and desires. which Is IN" iuhu"'"'"'"
principle OF social progress. Although the P'oc''9
begins with the child. II does not "nd th'f' INV
child carries to its home iis newly acquired """'
and these Immediately create Influences when .'''
toward the qualification of their wants me ri, Nj
dergariner realizes the truth of this IN hcr ~
visits 10 the moihers-shch. by the "dl' are IT,
small part Of her duty and the result oi h'' -" a."
seryatons T. as follows: The child loves tn' Mn.
dergartcn The greatest punishment parents @ can
infict upon their children Is to keep t'm al toiri'
This does not tend toward dsiniegratioh OF ~.
home because rs yet the real home mas nor p''n
created The parents operate win the knnr, kn,,o
gartner perhaps with the motive OF ndknpS
their children happy. but only 10 nd thenlselt,ta
Of their ca for a time No matter we judge US
results Nv means Of this cooperation ne chlln
secures opportunity- without which nothing car
thrive and Is happier. The mother Is relieved W
care and consequently has moro time to attehh 10
other duties
MOTHERS MADE BE?TER.
Mother wonder that the child Is happy III '"e
kindergaren and scJn they are willing to attehn
the mothers meetings where spirit of emulatoh
is developed They vie with each other In dress
and manners Their children. too. soon come 10