The Sentinel=record., 1912-11-03
The Kindergarten in the Life of the Child

1 everywhere are beginning to welcome the Kindergarten child as one to wnom
 reading and writing will come easily. | being already trained in the recog hilton of symbols and being mentally | and physically alert and co-ordinat- ed. The time is coming when the prl-
 mary teacher will not only welcome, but demand the kindergarten trained | child
 But it is the spiritual development which counts for most, and this mix ture of the child's ideal self is the
 kindergarten greatest purpose and opportunity. Living with others. each contributing to the good of all IS , the fundamental basis of kindeTgar-
 ten work and play. The best way to do away with wrong activity is 10
 give an opportunity for right actig- ity, and no chi d of kindergarten age will fail to demonstrate this pfinci- ple, however disorganized or seeming ly bad he may be. Improper Ian
 guage. untruth, dishonesty, selfish ness, greediness, disorder and rude
 ness are but recently acquired and
 easily uprooted in the life of the
 child placed in a happy and sympa- thetic environment. and the kinder
 garten is often the scene of Q spirit
 nal struggle where the child finds his better self
 In the modern kindergarten every subject found in the college curricN- lum has it's logical beginning. The kindergartner of today must
 have at least two years in a good training school. she must have q working knowledge of arts and hand crafts, science and music; she must understand the language of hygiene and study of psychology and educa- tion principles as related to little chil dren; speak good English and use the courtesies of life in her social re tionships and be an all-around cultur ed, synipathetic woman.
 The once popular idea that little paper folding. mat weaving and stick laying, a few motion songs and ring games make a kindergarten, is fast dying out, but this superficial idea ol kindergarten work has been the mill stone about it's neck. which has threatened at times to bring it to 2 fate as hopeless as the bottom of the sea-
 When people cease condemning things they personally know nothing about, or cease to take some individ- ual child, or Kindergarten CT kinder gartner as a sufficient reason tor doubting the efficiency Of a system which has been proven beyond a doubt. and has left its impression not alone upon the hearts and minds oi thousands of children, but upon the whole common school system. The
 business of a kindergartne. is that at nurturing, protecting and developing i the body, mind and soul, and without this three-fold purpose she can be no fit gardner of Gods flowers, th1 children.
 The kinderkarten is one education
 al plant with spiritual root; it has ever been planted in the hearts oi | the people and has grown by tile per sonal sacrifice and earnest deyoti of it's believers This is proof of its unquenchab,e spiritual quality. t has become part of the school sys- i tenn in many places and will eyentn ally be a part of all.
 But perhaps it is fortunate that +
 has and will come because of the en- thuslasm and inner conviction of it's
 promoters, and because of definite re- suits shown in many communities
 rather than because of any politlcaI
 or financial consideration.
 1 Any little group of earnest moth