The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-05-28
Their Power to Prevent Pau
 periSm and Crime METHODS OF THEIR WORK There Is More Economy In Saving the Child From Waywardness Than
 In Expressing the Crlmi-
 nal-Society News.

On the occasion of a recent visit of Judge N. B. Feagin to the Free Kinder gartens of Birmingham, he was asked by Mrs. J. H. Phillips, the president of the Free Kindergarten Association what were his impressions in regard not only to the growth of the kindergarten, but of their influence and at the request of Mrs Phillips, he has written the follow ing comprehensive article in which he de- clares that the kindergartens prevent pauperism and crime. Judge Feagn urges that kindergartens be added to the pub lie schools of the city and gives his req sons why the city should support this movement.
 There is no one whose opinion upon this subject would carry greater weight than Judge Feagin's, for he has every opportunity for observing the conditions such as he describes. When he says that the kindergarten strikes at the very root of evil he presents a phase of the work that demands serious consideration.
 Judge Feagin writes as follows:
 "The first Free Kindergarten in Bir- mingham was opened in the Paul Hayne school building on January 2, 1899, with the consent of the Board of Education. Shortly thereafter another kindergarten at the Mercy Home was added. The first term of five months closed In May, 1s99. There were 14S children enrolled and 1O6 families brought under its beneficent m- fuence. There were 150 subscribers to the fund of $631, to carry on this commend able work. Miss Edith Woodruff, graduate from the Louisville Ky, Kin dergarten Training Class was first teach CT, and Miss Belle Dangaix was the first president and was reelected, but resign ed before the second years work began. Mrs. J. H. Phillips was elected president. which office she has since held. On May 8, 1900 a charter was granted fncorporat- ing "The Birmingham Free Kindergar- ten," under sec 1902 ct. seq. of the Code of Alabama as an educational society. Miss Edna E. Snyder, a graduate from the Louisville, Ky, Kindergarten Nor maj Is now the principal The session for 1901-2 closes on next Friday, May 50. with a training class of five young ladies, three kindergartens and nearly 200 children upon the rolls. Over 150 mothers have realized the helpful influence of kinder garten training upon the character and conduct of their little ones. The mothers 1 monthly meetings have added happiness l to many hearts and homes. The annual | expenses have amounted to nearly $1500
 which have been paid by voluntary con
 frib md
 ganzations. The Elks heading the list
 with 500. It is said that this generous
 hearted order, ever foremost in philan-
 thropic work, is contemplating defraying
 the expenses of one kindergarten alone
 next year.
 Besides the three l-indergartens under
 the supervision of Miss Edna E.. Snyder,
 there are three independent kindergar- tens viz: One at Avondale Cotton Mills, 1 in charge of Miss Eva Mae Hayes and Miss Mignon Conner; one on Avenue F. near Rolling Mills, In charge of Miss Eva Brauner, supported by the Southside Bap- 1 list; one at the St. Marks Episcopal col ored church. in charge of Naomi Katch- ems and supported chiefly by the colored | people of the city. Each of these last | named three, has between 40 and 50 chil- l dren enrolled It is seen that there are l now six kindergartens in the city of Bir- | mingham with about $50 children. in
 charge of well trained, competent teach | CTS, in touch with over 300 homes. In the
 two and a half years there have been over | TOO children in attendance, supported by
 voluntary contributions.
 | "I have given these details to make
 known the fact of continual growth of l this work. to apprise this community of
 the zeal few philanthropic citizens are manifesting in maintaining these kinder | gartens
 What Is this power in the kindergarten | that causes it to take such strong hold on the heart, as to make so many good women, splendid men and consecrated teachers give their time, their money and their talents to sustaining it in our city? The answer is upon the lips of every one who has witnessed It's work. It Is it's power to fan into a flame the spark | of divinity inherent in the breast of ev- cry child. It is its power to prevent
 paupersm and crime. It Is Its methods of directing and training the activities
 of the hand, the head and the heart of
 the child for good citizenship.
 ''The kindergarten takes the child from | three to six years of age, when 1t is too old to be kept within the restraints of the home and too young to go to the public ] school and trains 1t among playmates of the same age, impulses and aspirations in gentleness and loving kindness for others It teaches them obedience and respect for superiors in age, cleanliness of speech and person, grace in behavior and carriage It trains little hands how and what to do. little minds how to think, and little souls how to live It is the connecting link between the home and the school. It cautiously cares for the child and It's playm ates in innocent and pleasant amusements when ignorant or vulgar nurses, attendants or associates might corrupt or poison the mind and character. "The teacher in charge of these little ones must have a thorough kindergarten training course covering period of two years in both theory and practice. These two must go hand in hand and the work | be done thoroughly and we'll A special | aptitude and a love and affection for the | work are the great requisites. The stu dent enters the Kindergarten Normal on A six weeks trial in psychology, child study and the application of theory to