The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1900-01-18
Kindergarten.

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for their children:
Frederick Froebel, the founder OF
the kindergarten, as the basis of the
great system of education, was born
in Oberurisbach, Thuringid, Ger
many, in 1882. He came Of The best
parentage. His mother died when
he was only nine months old and
from that time on, although his
physical being was well cared for
his social nature was almost starved.
He was left to amuse himself as
best he could. The birds and the
flowers became his dearest play
mates, and he consequently became
a great student Of nature. He watch
ed with interest the construction
of large church building in the
neighborhood and from the chips
and blocks within his reach, eu-
deavored to reproduce the different
parts OF the structure.
When Froebel grew to be man,
his lonely and neglected childhood
30 appealed to him, that over thirty
years of his life were spent in the
search of truth, which resulted in
the great educational scheme of de-
velopement for children, known as
the kindergarten or Childgarden.
The isolated life he led caused him
to observe and analyze. His know
ledge was wonderfully varied and
accurate. He was versed in phil
osophy, art and science. Best Of all
he was keen and ardent student Of
human nature. During his varied
teachings, he discovered that the
students in both the common schools
and colleges were not prepared for
their work and that the flaw lay in
lack Of solid foundation, on which
to build their further education.
1t is conceded by the best think
ers, that the first six or seven years
Of life are the most impressIonable
and since first impressions are most
lasting, those early years are most
important. Then the child is most
docile. His mind with all its inher-
ent faculties is open and has nothing
to do but absorb everything within
its reach.
Froebels system of education is
founded upon natural laws which
govern both man and the universe.
He studied the history of civiliza-
tion from the beginning and his OBJ
servations taught him that the child
relives the experience of the human
race in the different stages of it's de-
velopement. The first effort at per-
sonal adornment was the tattooing
of the skin and from that springs
perforating as the first Kindergarten
occupation. Then in logical order
we have sewing Of cards, weaving of
mats, folding and cutting of papers
into artistic designs, drawing, paint
ing, INTERVIEWING and clay modelling.
Also the arrangement of sticks and
rings into artistic designs, according
to the principles of art. AT first the
child is purely initiative, but wher
he has actually created something Of
his own imagination, then has he ex'
ercised the brightest faculty OF the
nina. Creative activity is one o.
the underlying principles of the
kindergarten.
, Cooperation both in work anc
play bring to the child realization
, of the benefits of united efforts.
One of the most pleasant features
, of the kindergarten is its songs ant
games, which are interspersed tt
suit the requirements of the child!
activity. They bring into play al
the muscles and the child delight,
to initiate the woodchopper or th'
shoemaker. Froebel realized tn,
, truth that play is part of the mean
: of education. 1t developes charac
/ ter. Sad little faces are changed in
{ to bright happy ones. The Kinder
garten aims at the harmonious de
velopement of the whole child, hi
physical intellectual and spiritua
natures.
For every talent in man, means o
: development are provided in tn
3 kindergarten material. Froebel
= genius has not only succeeded IN in
l.. venting the proper material but b
t has pointed out it's most successful
2 application, to prepare the child TO
J. all branches of occupation in tn
useful pursuits OF markind and 70
> all situations in future life.
. From this year on, the manufact
= urer of the National Cash Registe
= of Dayton Ohio, will employ no on
: who has not had the privilege of tn
/ kindergarten in childhood, becaus
d Of the accuracy of the eye and tn
Y deftness of the fingers thereby az
n quired.
d During the thirty years of the eS
istence of the free kindergarten 1
b the slums of San Fransisco, the re
cords of the arrests and imprison
ments do not show one case in whic
II the offender has had the advantag
;, of the Kindergarten.
9 The kindergarten is simply tn
IS outgrowth OF earlier forms of educs
r tion. 1t is combination of the bes
'. points in the schemes of all educa
- tional reformers. 1t is not merel
a a fancy of Froebel's but a necessit.