The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-25
FORWARD step AT
W|LL|A|MAND MARY.
kindergarten Established in Prac-
ticc School and Doing Fine
Work.
APPRECIATED BY PATRONS
APPRECIATED BY PATRONS
Every facility and Aid Given
Some Of the Work Done By
the Littla Children.
Especial Correspondent of The Dimes
TDaf,utch1

&. Davis, has been most highly valued
in this und other States
1t was q forward step to add the kin
cergarten--the very foundation Of a thiids
educa'lon--The saying of President Har-
per OF Chicago Tniversity-"Three years
IL the kindergarten caves three years
II, thu education OF the child" experience
has proved true; and that Of another,
that the day Is not far distant when "a
child VIII not he received i'll n first grade
having had no kindergarten training,
We are coming TO realize.
SO William and Mary is TO be apath-
finder rs she has been IN tho past: and
the young men who go ont from her de-
Ifartment OF education Will help to bring
tho kindergarten to all, even to the
country children Of Virginia
William and Mary was fortunate in
being able. to secure for the kindergarten
on experienced director from the trimming
school OF Miss Patty Hill. OF Louisville,
Ky.
Since Columbia. Michigan Chicago and
New York Universities have failed in
their efforts to secure Miss Hill on their
faculties William and Mary is to be con-
graduated on having one OF Miss Hills
directors In the practice school-Miss
Margarc; Wallace Murphy. of Louisville.
Ky.
Miss Murphy is assisted in the kinder
garten by Miss Nab S,ubbs. daughter of
Professor J. T. Stubs, and Miss Ellen
Barnes. daughter of Commemorative At
torney Manly II. Barnes. Only twenty
seven pupils have been received because
OF lack of space. but so popular is the
work the number could be doubled.
Work Almost Ideal.
in many respects the work has seemed
ideal. so abundant are the opportunities
for nature work, gardening and outdoor
work and play.
a large part of the fall tho work had
to be conducted without the regular
kindergarten material. but the lumber-
men nearby sawed blocks the size OF a
brick. which did admirable building work
bringing into use all the large muscles
OF the child. All tho available paste
board boxes. milk tops. spools, paper
fasteners, tin, etc, were used in the con-
struction of wagons. beds, tables. chairs
and Kitchen utensils.
the sand garden was large enough for
every child to have forest of trees.
either red and gold to tell the story OF
The fall leaves. or bare and gray, to be
cut down and hauled In constructed wag-
ons for winter wood. The field near by
afforded corn, with which the Children
Experimental. until they discovered meal.
Then they filed their sacks with the
corn and carried II to the old water
mill, where they saw the corn poured
into the hopper and the white meal come
out. The next day each child made his
little pan OF batterbread from hi. meal
and cooked 1t in tin pan of his own
construction.
Some of the fruit. made into jelly or
preserves for the winter. was gathered
by tho child then. made into Jelly or.
preserves entirely by himself. he making
his own jelly bag.
For the Thanksgiving party. at which
the grades came as very life-l like Pill
grims and Indians. the kindergarten
cooked pumpkin pies. biscuit Jelly, Sc;
also churnng the butter.
Tho Christmas. with its tree. its making
Rnd giving. is always one of the most
delightful times OF the year. John ex-
pressed something of what 1t meant to
these children when he said: II didn't
know It was SO much fun to give away
things The first grade assisted the
Kindergarten III making bean bags. marble
bags and doll hats forsall the school.
MAXI lighthouses.
At this season Of the year the children
arc making and furnishing playhouses
These houses are made of dry goods
boxes. The children paper them, hang
curtains and pictures, weave rugs and
with their own saws and hammers maze
and stain all the furniture for four
rooms. All the work is done by the
children, for have learned that the
kindergarten is a community of doors ana
not of hearers only"
These children serve their own luncheon,
wash their dishes. tea-towels and nap
kins. clean black boards, eracers. dust
and sweep, all working together, and
keep at 1t cheerfully until everything is
in order when the day is over
In the work of furnishing the houses,
operated most beautifully. supplying
boxes and various materials. In fact tho
appreciation and support Of the patrons
Is most gratifying to those who have
established the kindergarten. All seem
TO feel that n great privilege has been
GRANTED their children. All see, improve
fnent which the kindergarten has brought
greater industry and still an ability to
keep employed and happy, these and
pther deeper and more spiritual habits
Tile patrons say, are being formed.
Ayvisiting educator said he would give
half his salary to have his boy share
such an opportunity as he saw here.
And rain or snow, sleet or mud, the
nothing but severe Illness can keep thess
from their loved work and play.
Is Well Equipped.
The kindergarten has a beautiful ROOM
with the best modern kindergarten equip
ment--large gifts hygienic chairs. etc.
piano, the best pictures, pottery, grow
Ing plants in deep. low sunny windows
etc.; but watch the work from the stand
point OF n country school teacher.
have felt how much of the work could
be done in every rural schooliof Virginia,
IF we Put ourselves In touch With the
little child iii his early training, NO are
not apt to go far astray later on.
Remember. tho sooner we begin To
work with tho child, the more VIC ca,f dc
for him. And William and. Mary lis to
hasten this good work to all tho Schools OF