The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-11-01
THE KINDERGARTEN in RELATION
TO- THE GRADES.

Ii we are especially interested in the
opinions OF any individual, or in his
work, We naturally desire to know
more OF that individual himself, to as
certain What circumstances have affect
ed his life aud character, how they
have influenced his thoughts and ac-
lions. LIZ is only through such
knowledge OF his life as a whole that
we eau thoroughly understand and pro-
perly appreciate that factor of it winch
attracted our attention. This is par
ticularIy true OF Froebel whose educa.
tiOnal principles were gradually evolved
through llfe's experiences and who
faithfully endeavored to live up to his
high ideas. He is generally known only
as the originator of kindergartens, but
a brlet survey of his life will prove that
his educational principles and methods
are not confined to the earliest years OF
childhood but that they extend over the
entire period OF human development.
Apparently, it was but an accident
which determined Froebel to become a
teacher and revealed to him his Unborn
power as an educator. When he found
it necessary to leave school and prepare
for some vocation in life he expressed
the desire that he might be farmer, rs
he thought the contact in which this
would bring him with nature Of which
he was already close student would
best satisfy his longings. He was ac-
cOrdingly appreDticed TO farmer, in
whose library be found volumes OF
natural history and mathematics. These
he studied assiduously. Allthe instruc-
ton he had received had been desultory
and unsatisfying. He felt its lack OF
completeness and absence OF harmony
both within itself and with his outward
life. Although unconscious OF his
natural ability as an instructor, he
already had peculiar views of his own
cised upon himself. In fact. his whole
lite is record of acknowledgment and
self discipline. Even at that early
period he felt that knowledge should
not be considered merely as requisite
for "A certain purpose but as the round
ing off OF the human development. His
ideal of a farmers life required
knowledge of all connected with such
vocation that it might form harmoni-
GUS whole in unity with its surround
ings. In order to better fit himself for
this, his life work, he went to Frankfort
to study architecture.
This tourney proved a turning point
in his life, for here he met Gruner, the
director of the Normal School, who
proposed to him that he become a
teacher, at the same time Offering him
a position as assistant. II may have
been the loss OF certificates from former
employers which induced Froebel to
found himself before a class of about
thirty or forty boys he immediately
recognized his true vocation. His
peculiar adaptabillty for teaching soon
became apparent to all, for his class be-
came the model class of Il model school.
proving the advantage OF drawing out
the chiId's own faculties. His views of
a teachers requirements being as broad
as b ideals were high, he constantly
felt the deficiency of his own education,
and consequently divided his time be-
tween studying and teaching. Three
years spent in Pestaozzi's school served
to ripen his own educational views and
to emphasize the similarities and differ
ences of these two great educators.
Although great improvement upon
the methods of the time, he felt that
Pestalozzi's system did not develop and
tremendously blend the whole faculties
of the child and this he considered of
prime mpOItance.
L. 1917, the death of his brother left
Froebel in charge OF the education of
his nephews, thus furnishing AN OBJ
pOrtunity for putting into practice his
own educational views. These nephews
were joined by other nephews and by
sons of neighboring families until his
school rapidly increased in size. Devot-
ed friends also joined him to assist him
in his work, friends who remained faith
full and true through long life of labor
and prlvation, ever loving. ever reyer-
ing him. Such perfect sympathy ex-
listed between instructors and between
instructors and pupils that all external
discipline seemed needless. It was but
happy family, such a. Froebel had
years before expressed as his. IDEAL