The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-09
AFTER THE KINDERGARTEN.
The Atlantic MOnthly's "kindergar-
ten" Said Not to BE Typical.

To the Editor OF the indianapolis Journal;
The article in the Atlantic Monthly under
this head commented on by the Journal last
Sunday. has, in its manifold misrepresenta-
lions. been its own refutation to the kinder
garten world and to those who are familiar
with the workings and theory of the modern
kindergarten. The article in its entirety Is.
to be very mild, seriously misleading. The
writer has taken kindergarten, the exist
ence of which one needs great powers of
Imagination to conceive; one of such mani
fest Stiffness and lack of principle as de-
serves the severest condemnation, and has
used il as a type. She has been singularly
unfortunate In having to do with such a
kindergarten and every word which she
has written of this school is full of truth.
It's effects could not be other than perni-
cious in the extreme ii is anything but a
kindergarten in essence and in deed. and
we should say entirely alone in its unique
ness. That another such kindergarten ex-
lists is a matter of considerable doubt How
ever, Just as there are primary teachers
who are simple blocks OF humanity filling
the place and drawing the salary Of teach
ers Just as there are newspapers which
contain little news, information or knowl-
edge; just as there is mediocrity and mall
practice everywhere so there are Kinder
gartens which are far fron the pure ana ana
kindergartens which comprehend as nttle OF
it's science and beauty as the spirit OF eVll
can comprehend goodness. Such Kinder
garten this unfortunate teacher uses as Il
sorry means of disproVing the effectiveness
of the Froebelian system in its entirety
In the school considered the slckly sentl-
mentality expressing itself in an effer-
vescence of demonstrativeness, such as the
''dears and darlings' alluded 10, mas re-
placed the true and tender love Tor human
ity as expressed in childhood, through Whlch
all discipline knowledge and good Is inn
parted in the healthy normal klndergarten
The spirit of the divine Chrlst-loVe Tor
little children is alone the means by which
all Kindergarten work has its value, and
even the most hardened user OF birch rods
cannot construe this as uniting. compare
il with the Sentimentality mentioned, or
deny that it should have place In all edu-
cation. from the lowest 10 the highest.
1t is impossible to express the amazement
with which We learned OF the astounding
results produced upon the imagination in
this school bearing the name OF the Kinder
garten. The watchwords OF the kndergarfen
science are reality truthfulneSS and ac-
curacy TO the minutest detail, and but a
few moments in kindergarten worthy or
the name Is sufficient 10 prove the utter
nonsense of a statement when makes It's
pupils see in an apple anything but an
apple. in a stone anything but stone, etc.
Though we have been conversant with every
phase or kindergarten work Tor many years
we have never met with the songs games
and choice bits of poetry which have been
selected by the writer in the Atlantic
Monthly as types of kindergarten work
We did not know that such absurdities
could be considered for one moment as
capable of filling the place or the pure
music perfect thought and sincere spiritu-
ality which must form the very ground
work OF this branch OF kindergarten Work.
The elucidation of the paper-folding Is in
teresting. TO say the least; and II paper
folding of the character considered We're
part of the work of the modern kinder
garten IL would deserve the ridicule given
il. But, in the progressive school such
work as here described is entirely unknown,
having worn Itself out long ago just as the
teaching OF the alphabet letter by letter in
rotation, and other Well-eStablshed habits
OF primary instruction have worn them
selves out and been proven mistakes.
The solution which the Journal offers,
whereby the school, and kindergarten should
both be modified una they approach each
other in closer fitness. Is undoubtedly wise
and timely. but that so great a modinca-
ton as the Atlantic Monthly would make
necessary Is required We seriously