The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-04
10 REPLACE THE EURSENAID.
A CLASS or UNDERGRADUATES
WITH 4 NEW PURPOSE.

WIN WIN = ~" ,aAhaeAe WI UNIV
An entirely new profession for women
sprang into being the other day when =
class for nursery k~indergartners and
trained assistants for mothers was opened
at the Harlem Young Women's Christian
Association. To Miss Alice Mattison be-
longs the credit Of originating the idea, and
she ID teacher of the first class.
II is, a small GLASS, and the teacher sc-
kno wledged that the work OF making the
course popular among American girls
would be difficult.
perhaps the term nursery kindergarten
rs rather misleading, she said. Our ides
is not by any means to instruct nursemaid
in kindergarten methods and ideas.
"A graduate will rank decidedly above
the ordinary nursery governess, even.
She is not supposed TO have anything to do
with the care Of babies. The little ones OF
the family who are Of kindergarten age,
from 8 to Q years old, are those who will
come under her charge"
Girls under 10 are not accepted for this
class, and only those who have had a good
eduoation-a year or two in high school or
its equivalent-are eligible. In fact, young
women who are In every way qualified for
regular kindergarten work but lack the time
or means to take expensive courses are
those whom it is hoped to attract to this new
profession.
wealthy women are everywhere seeking
well educated, efine young women to
give them intelligent assistance in bringing
up their children, thereby supplanting the
ignorant nurse maid said Miss Mattison.
-Educational agencies a long lists OF
applications for teachers of this descrip-
ton and the regular kindergarten training
schools are appealed to continually, but
always unsuccessfuily, for pupils willing
to take such resident employment.
The chief objection to a resident place
in the minds Of most young girls is that it.
deprives them Of the free evenings. which
they enjoy while in business. Still thers
is the compensation Of a good home, with
practically no expense.
while the girl who works In m Office
must often spend the greater part Of her
salary for board, the $40 a month which n
resident kindergarten can easily command
is almost all clear profit. Last week !
even heard OF two positions in each o.
which $40 was the salary offered.
Even for dress the expenses Of a nursery
Kindergarten would be small. She would
need a really good suit or two in which t.
take the children out. For the house
when the profession Is better established
and known I hope to introduce a uniform
for. women holding our certificates of train
ing on the order of a trained nurse uni
form. which will be respected and carry
dignity with it wherever it il worn"
Study for one term of four months en-
titles a student TO a certificate as kinder
ga rtner in private families, while after the
full course Of eight months she gets a di-
ploma which will enable her 10 apply for
work as assistant Kindergarten in second
arv schools, il she prefers to do 80.
kindergarten ideals, methods and work
form the chief study of the course, two
afternoons a week being devoted TO prac-
tice work. One afternoon the class takes
charge OF one OF the children's clubs which
meet at the Association building, con
Quoting it on the order OF a regular kinder
garten, with games, plays, songs n story
telling.
Another class session is devoted to visit
tng a kindergarten for observation. In
struction and practice in telling stories Co
children receive special attention in the
class, the students being made acquainted
with all the best books and tales suitable
for children Of kindergarten age,
Nature work il another branch bf the\
course. The nursery kindergarten j. !
taught how to make information about
the moon, stars, clouds, rain and growing
thing interesting to the child. The study
OF birds, their q and habits, is con
sidered especially necessary and during
the spring, walks in the parks and country
Will be taken TO supplement what has been
learned OF them in books.
Delsarte is included in the course. A
practical courss in sewing and instruction
In nursery hygiene are also given. The
nursery Kindergarten must now when
children are properly dressed and bathed.
their rooms well ventilated, and if the
food served them Is what il should be.
Several members OF the first class ~
nursery kindergartners intend to secure
visiting employment only. Many mother
whose little ones attend kindergarten Iu
the morning are willing to pay SIS or $50
a month to have them caredfor by an ed
ucated woman the rest OF the day.
mo accomplishment is lost in the girl
who applies FOR a position of the sort, said
Miss Mattison. IF she knows a little music
or speaks a foreign Ian glage it Is a grea.
advantage. But these things are not essen
tlal for a successful nursery kindergarten.
either visiting or resident.
Intelligent mothers are realizing thai
the majority OF German and French nurses
whom they may engage are ignorant women,
who speak their native languages badly,
both as to grammar and accent. 1t is much
wiser to have them with a woman who
speaks perfectly correct English and car
direct their recreation intelligently.
Il bave often sat in the park WATCHING
the way in which the ignorant nurse maids
treat the little ones trusted to their care
They seem divided into two classes, the
careless nurse, who goes to talk with her
friends, allowing the children to amuse
as best they may. and the strict
nurse, who makes her charges sit primly
a bench by her siCc, afraid to so much
rs wriggle.
1t Is small wonder that mothers who
san AFFORD 1t are willing to pay for the
services OF a young girl who can be relet
upon to make their children's play hours
enjoyable and beneficial. Girls who
live at home prefer this afternoon work
with their evenings and part of the day
free, to the larger salary OF the resident
Some day, however, when these girl.
are older and no longer live at home, the
saving OF their board and the putting away
OF tvice the amount OF money they can
otherwise do each month viii become
an important consideration 10 them and
they. will want the resident positions"
While the great demand is for young
girls, the course Is thought to offer a goOa
opportunity for middle aged women who
love children and 30 far nave found no well
paying profession.