The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-06-13
LITTLE TOTS HEARD
Kindergarten Gave Exercises
Last Night
AT FRIENDS UNIVERSITY
Twenty-Five Children Took
Part in Program

Twenty-nine little children whose ages
range fromm to years took part in the
commencement program Of the West Side
Free kindergarten at Friends university
last night The exercises were given IN
the large Russell hail which had been
decorated with large flags and numerous
pieces Of the handiwork of the children.
Behind the stage were draped two mag
pinccnt specimens Of the stars and stripes,
while long streamers Of colored paper
Chain made by the children were arranged
with pretty effect across the front Of the
stage.
The visitors were met at the door by
Corinne Israel Alice Dunn, Helen Nc
Lean and Lora Hutchinson. pupils of the
class. and conducted 10 Their seats. Then
70 the music Of march played by Mrs
HAYS and Miss NermiIlion twenty-nine lit
IL tots. each carrying u little red chair
trooped from the rear OF the hall to the
st4se where they formed IN circle with
their three teachers Miss Nellie Piercy,
Miss Elhyn Worth and Miss Cossettee
Eeegau in the center. Mrs. Hays gave AZ
excellent number on the piano after which
q the signal given by Mrs F. /. John
stou al the piano the children rose and
sang tl-e greeting song entitled. Good
Evening II did the hearts Of those IN
the audience good to see these little chill
cren in their unaffected and childish man
nor stan, up and without hesitation per
FORM before such a large crowd Of strang
ers.
The three teachers who directed the
children graduated last night from the
kindergarten department Of the Friends
university BESIDES covering the regular
course OF study they have ali had prac-
teal experience in the work in the West
Side kindergarten and the excellent eX-
Inhibition given by the children last night
VS. largely the result of their labor
The subject Of Miss Piercys address
was The Social Phase Of the Kindergar-
ten In the kindergarten work the pu-
Pills are treated as individuals rather than
IS class, she said. Its object is 20
feed the natural tendencies of the child
and develop them and TO add those not
already possessed, thus making a har-
mony Of growth which is the noblest work
of God.
MISS " Ofln spoke OIL the circle
play work and illustrated her points with
several pretty songs and drills given ny
the children. The moon drill was an en-
chanting little performance in which three
Tiny girls stood with arms gracefully
raised over their heads. with the other
children clustered around them singing 10
the girl in the center who represented the
moon. Longfellow's poem, Under the
Spreading Chestnut Tree" was also nice
ly carried out. The tree was represented
by the largest boy of the class who stood
on a chair with arms outstretcched. Two
other children represented the bellows,
and dainty little girl of took ~ part
of The Smith With the Brawny Arms.
Miss Keegan explained the work of the
kindergarten in a very interesting way
and told of the numerous and varied
methods employed in instructing the chill
dren. This address was of special in
terest to those who were present who had
never had the opportunity of visiting a
kindergarten school while in progress.
After the addresses of the graduates
James Allison made a short talk upon
the many benefits to be derived from kin
6cigarten training. He stated that ''indi-
Nltudltk Was me Keynote OF hinueTEdf-
ten work. that there was no iron mold TO
BE- followed. but that special effort is
made To develop the natural talents of
each pupil He said that il started right,
as the children are in the kindergarten.
they will go through life right. and cited
statistics from other schools 10 prove his
Statement.
Mrs. Mclean gave a resume of the work
of the school during the past year in
which she spoke words of praise for the
teachers and those who have contributed
20 the support OF the school
In presenting the diplomas to the gradu-
ATE Miss Shuts also spoke highly Of their
work and gave them many valuable sug-
sestious for their work along this line in
the future. With the benediction pro-
rounced by Rev. Corneilisou closed an
evenings entertainment that was enjoyed
perfectly 10y everyone present