Evening star., 1898-07-12
THE KINDERGARTEN IDEA.
Its influence Discussed at the De
partment's Closing Session.

paTtments = tlOs1ug Session.
The subject considered at the closing ses-
sion of the kindergarten department, held
yesterday at Calvary Baptist Church, was
The Influence of the kindergarten Idea, {"
and the first paper read was by Mrs. Maria
kraus- -Boelte of New York city, who con-
sidered the development of the inner life of
the child.
Improved infant education. she said,
commences on natural, logic basis-ideas
being abstracted from perceptions-becom-
ing thus the product of the individuals own
mental activity, developing originality in
stead of giving blind consent to the ideas
of Others
The foundation for this should be laid
during the first years of the childs life
Man alone is endowed with a free will-to
accept and to reject, and without it educa-
ton would have no basis. Its aim is self
knowledge" AS in the "form-world" of
Gods creations, so also in the mental de-
Velopment, a natural series of events must
take place in order to reach the CORES
ponding idea of the mind.
The Value of Free Choice.
For this erd the child is given certain
means by which, not only to prepare and
accustom the mind to logical thinking, but
to assist equally the natural functions of
the soul correspondingly from without, do
ing away with mere educational instinct"
Free choice on the child's part is the neces-
Sary factor for success in this; giving his
attention to this outer expression of the
same he evinces the pleasure of doing for
himself. All science is based expert
mental work. The chIld's knowledge is eX-
perimental.
In dealing with the fundamental forms of
nature, and constantly, though uncon-
sclously, using the fundamental law by
way of arrangement, classification and
combination, these become life elements -
laying thus broad foundation fer liberal
culture.
Play a Factor.
There is the harmonious blending of play
and work, freedom and order. individual
rights and social duties. The aim is that
work and play materials should be regarded
only as means to influence the childs char
acter, his morals, his mind, heart and in
tellect. Play, thus rightly understood,
proves itself the factor of assisting the in
ner growth of the child. Independent of
irg, self-making. self-eXperience, self-think-
ing-these are the activities Of the child;
and rightly developed they are associated
with happiness, gayety and JoyousnesS.
Like the bee that flies from flower to
flower, seeking food and finding it, So the
child roves" - so to speak-through his
surroundings and the different domains Of
science-as he may come in touch with
attention, and reaching out to others with
perfect ease, in order to gain the mental
food necessary for his mind. 70 follow one
thought or merely one idea during an
tire morning, week or month, would seem
contrary to child nature and the laws of
the child's inner development.
Care in Direction.
Although the elements of free develop
mept' should ever be predominant, as are
the plants in natures garden, care should
be taken that such free development does
not diverge and become degraded to mere
toying and arbitrariness. All the condi-
tons for esthetic activity should first be
given; then free will. subject to intelligent
motive, Should be addressed, directing the
same to proNimate ends through artistic
and useful work or generous social action.
By means of the child's capacity for 'lov
ing he will be guided TO lifting himself
from content with mere personal we'll
being to become Il social being with self
reliance, independence and freedom this
mporn love" finally eliminating in per
piety. the service of mankind ana OF God.
Officers We're then elected as follows:
President, Mrs. Maria hraus-Boelte. New
York city; vice president, Miss Florence
Lawson, Los Angeles, Cal; secretary, Miss
Alice Parker, " ashington, u. c.
over 2C0 persons have registered in the
kindergarten Register. OF these 1l9 are
active and thirty as students and gradu-
ateS. Representatives came from Ontario,
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania
Maryland. California, Colorado, Virginia,
West Virginia, District of Columbia Ken
lucky, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri,
Utah, Nebraska, North Dakota.