The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-04
Free kindergarten w ork
New Training Building Amost Be
Dedicated - Gree Good Accomplished Children

Aid Society" The first president OF this
organization was Mrs. Arabelle c. Peelle,
wife OF the present Judge Stanton j. Peelle,
of the United States Court OF Claims. Mrs.
Peelle held the office until her removal to
Washington, d. c.. in 1892. Under her wise
leadership and through her untiring efforts
TO promote the efficiency of the work. the
society steadily advanced, several additional
schools being opened, and one building be-
ing erected by funds raised for that pur-
pose in the original neighborhood. Since
Mrs. Peeles removal from this city that
school has been christened the Arabele G
Peelle Kindergarten, in recognition of her
devoted service.
The indianapolis Free kindergarten So
ciety owes the large measure of it's success
in initiating plans for bringing more abund-
ant life to the homes under its care to the
thought and care and sympathetic tact of
Mrs. Eliza Baker. who has held the re-
sponsible position of superintendent of the
free kindergartens of the city since 1852.
The history of their various activities is
the record of the practical workings of Mrs.
Bakers own ideas.
CHILDREN AIDED.
From the beginning IL has been the policy
of the society in accordance with its name,
to aid the children in every way possible.
In one of her annual reports the superin-
tendent summarized the purposes of the
work follows: ITO surround the young
with wholesome influence; to make the
children happy; to lead them to the forma-
ton of right habits; to prepare the child
for school and future life; to give the I'M
fortunate child opportunity to get a
fair start in life; in fact to feed the soul,
and. where necessary, to feed and clothe
the body-the aim, in short, is character
forming
To accomplish this great aim every men,
Der of the family must be reached by whole
some influence. With this end in view the
society is now maintaining free kinder
gartens and domestic training schools all
over the city. 1t also carries on under its
direction mothers meetings, mothers in
struction classes, literary and science clubs
for boys and girls, besides providing for
evening entertainments and socials for the
families in each district.
The first domestic training school was
opened in 1889. These schools, which include
nursery classes, are held in the various
districts on Saturday mornings. Children
from one to nineteen years of age are ad-.
mitted. Every branch of industry that be-
longs to housekeeping Is taught practically
to the older children, while kitchen-garden
work is given to the little ones. Wood
working classes are included, as well in
struction in sewing darning, millinery work,
etc. In 1891 the society succeeded in rails
ing sufficient money to purchase ground and
erect a second building of its own. This
building which was planned according to
Mrs. Bakers idea, is a model one for
kindergarten use. The course for kinder
gartner and primary teachers diploma in
cludes the theory and practice of Froebels
system as embodied in kindergarten gifts,
occupations, games, songs, stories, ETC.;
philosophy and psychology; pedadgogics
and the history of education; special study
and practice in English; vocal music; phys
ical culture, voice culture and the Delsarte
system of EXPRESSION drawing and paint
ing; botany; manual work, including color,
clay modelling, sand and pasteboard work.
paper folding, paper cutting and mount
ing, weaving, sewing. ETC.; training in the
application of Froebel's principles in teach
ing primary grades.
FRIENDLY VISITING.
Friendly visiting among the homes in
each kindergarten district has, from the
beginning, formed an important feature of
the work of the teachers in these schools.
The superintendent and her teachers are
the counsellors and of all in need of such
help. AS outgrowth of this bond of
sympathy for bringing light and happiness
into the lives of the parents have arisen
the various enterprises for securing the
operation of the parents in the efforts made
TO develop the children into true manhood
and true womanhood. Three times each
year mothers mass meeting is held, at
which the mothers from all the kinder
garten districts come together in of
the society's buildings. The grand union
is full of enthusiasm and inspiration for
the heavily-burdened mothers. At all of
these meetings the refreshments are served
by the kindergartners. In addition to these
meetings there are regular mothers in
structlon classes in each district.
The work of the Free kindergarten So
ciety has been actively allied with that of
other philanthropic organizations, kinder
gartens being maintained under the super
vision of Mrs. Blaker in the Orphans
Home the Chldren's Hospital, the Home
of the Board of Childrens Guardians. etc.
In the State Institution for the Education
of the Deaf and Dumb a kindergarten is
regularly carried on, the teachers of which
have received special training for the work
in our Normal Training School.
How is the financial support for this
many-sided work secured? In several
ways. Indianapolis has few millionaires,
but a number of her philanthropic citizens
make annual subscriptions to the societys
treasury. The ladies of the society raise
a large part of the funds by teas and
other entertainments at the homes of the
members. Donations are made by Sunday
|. schools, clubs, and the Second Presbyter-
ian has undertaken the support of the
kindergarten held in it's mission. In short
| the means for carrying this great edu-
| cative and philanthropic work are secured
| by the personal devotion of the members OF
/ the society.