Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-05-08
lCMMUNICATED.

count of the annual meeting Of the
Kindergarten Association was good
one, yet it failed to mention the points
of the various speaker; points which
are, 8 rule, unfamiliar to most OF our
citizens on this comparatively new
method of instruction. l bad hoped
some one more competent would have
given q synopsis Of the ADDRESSES. As
they did not, l will epdeavor to do 60.
DR.. Hupt, after few complimentary
remsrks, told OF his experience with
kindergarten work in Augusta, Ga,
where public sentiment, ike 1t is here,
was sgainst any new method. Alter
much difficulty it was naally tried and
it has worked 80 successfully that now
II one OF lwo branches of education had
to be abolished, the high school or the
Kindergarten, it would be the former.
He defined the Kindergarten as
"garden of little children" where they
are taught object lessons and helpful
games, or as Froebel, the founder, puts
it, ITO give children employment suit
ed to their nature, strengthen their
bodies, exercise their senses, employ
the making mind, make them scquaint'
ed iudlciously with nature and society,
cultivate especially the heart end
temper, and lead them to the founda-
ton Of all living-to unity with them
selves" He concluded by expressing
The hope that the day is not fer distant
whep Alexsndria will add kindergar-
tens to its regular public school system.
Ms. Kate Waller Brett save
practical talk on the after effects OF
| training OF this character. She made
strong point when she said that II
taught them to be neat, watcbfnl, in-
iustrioUs. saving, carrying into tneir
parsnts' home the idea of taste without
ostentstiop; that the home can be MADE
| attractive with simple decorations, 8 q
above all it kept them busy teaching
their fingers not to destroy nor dis
| figure, and when grown the benefits OF
| this instruction would be shown when
thew hsd homes and children OF their
| own.
Rev. Mr. Phillips spoke of the effect
of work among children; 1t was often
possible TO euter through the children
| into the homes when 1t would not ne
otherwise. The influence was unseen
| and unnoticed. How by teaching them
'how to do" we are laying foundations
| which will stand them throughout life
Mr.. Kemper in closing the meeting
y oke 10 terms OF high praise OF the
tore BILE, logical and scholarly addret
of DR.. Hunt; the useful and practical
suggestions If Mr.. Phillips, and the
soul.in spring utterances OF Mis-. Bar
rett. spoken out of her large experiences
a,d heart full OF tender, loving sym
patby for little children. He express
ed the hope that the City Council
would 10 the near future appropriate
money sufficient to carry on at least two
kindergartens In connection with the
public school system.
In conclusion, would say that
system of instruction known ss th'
KiuderQarten) has been discovered
whereby our children are taught scien
tificalIy at an age before they are sd
mitted to the regular curriculum OF ou
pubic schools. Some time ago re
port was issued by committee to 10
vesiigate prisons and among othe
queries propounded was that of earl.
training. OF all these examined no
: one had been to kindergarten. Will
they did not think this conclusive proc
? OF the value OF such method, still tn
committee thought 1t rather remark
able that such was fact and for tbs
and other reasons heartily endorsed th
= establishment of these schools in O.
parts of the state. Is Alexsndris
which heretofore has been In the fore
front of public instruction. to be anon
the last to recognz, the value OF In
proved methods in the education
the youn.? Let US hope not, for "
. should not lose sight of the fact that 10
children OF today are the citizens oil th
future and into their hands the keepin
OF the welfare OF this grand old city an
commonwealth of ours is to be entrusted
"ONE WHO HAS BEEN CONVERTED