Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-04
foundation for an education for rich and

foundation for an education for rich and
poor alike
Mr.. Jacob A. Riis, the champion of the
rights of childhood, writes stirring words Of
encouragement:
What do 1 think of the kindergarten?
I think, with Superintendent Maxwell of
the board of education of my city, here,
that it is the greatest blessing of the nine
teenth century beQueathed to little chill
dren.'
Miss Susan s. Blow, the heroic champion
of the kindergarten system in this country,
writing to the principal, Miss Mel. says:
al cannot admit the thought that the
kindergarten, triumphant everywhere else,
shall fail of appreciation in the capital of
the country, and when l know as / do OF
the exceptional value of your own work, 1t
seems to me impossible that your practical
demonstra ton of the value of the Frobel-
liam system should fail to produce its log
ical result
But it is useless to multiply commenda-
lions that might be given from many other
weighty sources / would close with few
words giving my own impressions derived
from a personal visit to the Kindergarten
College in Washington. l saw the work
both of the free kindergarten, carried on
under the immediate supervision of Miss
Mel, assisted by her corps of remarkably
able teachers, at 1915 K street, and also or
two schools one for white and another for
colored children. situated at some distance
from this locality, but forming part or
the work of the college. The impression
produced upon me was profound.
Children at Study.
81 watched, as every visitor would be
constrained to do, every movement Of this
harpy, natural, absorbed band of little
children with intense interest. The lesson
given at the free kindergarten seemed from
beginning to end more like some exquisite
rendering of a beautiful poem. which these
unconscious children had themselves con-
ceived and Were themselves executing, thai'
a task through which their teachers guided
them All moved under control so deft as
never TO obtrude itself, without friction, re-
luctance or fatigue on the children's part,
from start to finish.
children themselves they made SHADOW
pictures on the floor, or sang TO an exceient
piano accompaniment their lesson songs.
nr took part with delight in games which
conveyed the germ of some wholesome ano
eleyating idea or constructed bridges OF
buildings out of their wooden BLOCKS: or
did many other things of similar nature
ali nrodlced on the observer the conviction
that here was instruction precisely suited
| 70 the needs Of earliest Childhood that IL
was based on the deepest knowledge or the
child nature and was executed py teacn-
ers Of great ia It and experience. l nave
nayar soon a more striking intimation OF
| the existence of the moral nature OF man,
and of his spiritual destiny, than was given
| during this hour passed In watching .lie
activities THESE
| on the first threshold of human nfe II
was all so unconscious, so exquisiteiy hAtu-
! raj. gentle, gay. loving and beautiIuL
Students Thoroughly Equipped.
"But the point Of vital import In this
| institution Is not that 1t accomplishes kin
| dergarten work OF the highest grade, but
| that while doing this it gives collegiate
| training to its body of young women stu
! dents, who are to become kindergarten
| teachers furnishing to them the constant
! opportunity to see such work and to en-
| gage In it and then sending them forth
| thoroughly equipped to reproduce and to
| extend 1t wherever their lot may be cast.
| A large number of the alumnae who re-
| main In Washington return to the college
/ year after year to take advantage of the
| Undergraduate courses and lectures by
| prominent educators. which have always
| been a feature OF the college.
l 'srhis branch Of the work, together with
| the mothers classes. gives the college an
/ overwhelming sphere Of influence. But why
| say more? 1t must be that wealthy citizens
| OF Washington. who have this work at their
/ very door. who see young southern women
/ OF high culture. refinement and disinterest-
edness coming to study its methods and