New-York tribune., 1902-01-15
CHINESE KINDERGARTEN
TINY PUPILS IN QUAINT GARB LEARN
TO SING AND PLAY GAMES

It nearly II o'clock yesterday morning when
the first tiny pupil stroed with leisurely air into
the long, narrow room where a Chinese k!nGergar-
ten is held daily at No. 111a Mott-st
This little school. which was opened a short time
ago. is probably the only OF its kind in the
city, for the children who attend It wear the
quaint Chinese garb. Business in Chinatown is
transacted in the evening. and the children. who
stay late with their parents, early risers.
i o'clock being the usual breakfast hour Yestcr-
day some OF the early arrivals had to be taken
home again because they had come without food
The pupils range in age from three TO seven years
and the smallest girls brought the door
by their fathers.
Miss A. S. Richardson, who Is the Instructor.
said referring to the absence of the mothers: "Chi
nese women never go out In the daytime under any
circumstances. call for the pupils the faith
ers bring them. Some of the children have learned
the way, and after school go home alone"
When about twenty OF the twenty-five pupils had
assembled they all Joined hands and. forming
ring. danced around. singing good morning
song. They seemed to enjoy the game much
any American child might and were not at all in
convenienced by the Chinese footwear in which
some Of the small feet were incased- The girls
showed partially for bright cOlors. and
long, full trousers of colored cambric. with loose
waist of silken brocade, In some cases OF cloth.
Each had her glossy black hair IN a long braid
which toward the end woven with strands of
heavy silk in various coors that extended to the
floor. Around the head a band OF gold
brodered silk, with little tabs each side par
TALLY covering the
After they had danced and sung the children
played finger games in which they held up one fin
ger at time representing members Of the fam
iy beginning with This is the mother. good and
dear" and holding up the whole hand when saying,
This is the family. great and small" But the
occupation that they enjoyed most vas making
furniture for dolls house.
For the older girls there were lessons leading to
the primary class in the public school Gum Yuk,
little miss attired in black trousers and blue
Heading"
All the pupils speak English well, but some have
difficulty with the sounds OF r." "th" and ~"
and one small pupil thought he progressing
Merry Christmas" The children interpret every
thing they hear literally. when the other day
10y heard the teacher sing Land where my
fathers died. he went home and told his mother
mother hastened 10 ccndole with her her sup
posed bereaVF FucuU.
The chi-aEea are rnost a1ectionate, it IS said.
toward MIS-. HAt Kin. tei" teacher. but at tho
sight Of visitor they scramble behind tables and
chairs in wild haste to gst aNay Sror any stranger
The OF where the EiutCrEarten Is
held was granted - tie hey Hui Kin rent free
b. the Presbytery Of New York, bat TIE kinder
garten is dependent upon voluntary Subscriptions
for running expenses Miss ChHrloIfe Cuaraacrs
Han and other members of the Fifth avenue Pres
work. which in its present stage nry be consiG~
cred experimental Some Of the pupils are Gum
Yuk Gum Lon, Dock Fong, All Cum, Ar Gay. An
Gong. Kee Som. Kee Guie. Choy Cum, Cha YuEg.
Kin Yeuk, Mamie Toy and Frances Toy.
These children just Ike other children"
said the teacher with whoops OF JOY four tried 10
squeeze through the narrow doorway a time O
get home But TO show that they were versed in
little bows and sang song. "Goodby; be always
kind and true"