Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-10-11

pIicity Of the dances delighted the
audience and some of the teachers
who were present stated that they
would like TO have the dances intro
dnced in some Of the grades in tho
schools here.
Or. Montessori's Work.
Miss Agnes Alexander read a most
interesting paper on How the Social
and Pedagogical Problems Are Met
by the 'Children's Houses in Rome.
She said in part:
1T is TO Eduardo Talamo, the Di-
rector General of the Roman Associa-
tion for Good Building, that We owe
the happy idea of gathering together
in large room, all the little ones OF
the families Of the tenements. To
accomplish this end. Dr. Montessori
was invited to cooperate, and found
there the opportunity to develop the
wonderful work which is now inter
esting the world.
The first of these new schools was
opened in Jan. 1907, in the quarter
Of San Lorenzo, which was noted not
only as the quarter of the poor, but
the most illfamed in Rome. Her vice
and darkness went hand in hand. and
the children were born into Horld
of gloom.
1.-The first school was listened
Casa del Bambini" or 4e Child
ren's House." DR.. Montes ri says of
it: From the very first / perceived,
in all its immensely, the social and
pedagogical importance of such in
situations, and while at that time my
visions of triumphant future seemed
exaggerated, today many are begin
ming to understand that what / saw
was indeed the truth"
Three months later a second
'Children's House was opened in the
same quarter" Again Miss Alexan.
der quoted from the inaugural ad
dress Of DIR. Montesorri:
1.-The Children's Houses belonging
to the Association for Good Buolding
in Room are maintained in remark
able way said Miss Alexander. 'The
parents earn the "Children's House"
through caring for the building. But
before starting these, the little ones.
often left alone during the entire
day, became vandals, defacing the
walls and stairs. Now, the sum
which was spent in repairs meets the
expenses of the "Children's House.
Here working mothers may leave
their little ones, but for this benefit
they also must pay tax OF care and
good will. The regulations announce:
"The mothers are obliged to send the
children to the ,Children's House
clean, and cooperate with the direct.
ress in the educational work.
"Dr. Montessori writes: IF the
child shows that the influence of the
school is being undermined by the at
titude taken in his home, he will be
sent back by his parents, to teach
them thus to take advantage of their
opportunities. "
Work Of Directress.
Again Miss Alexander read from
DIR. Montessori's book regarding the
work of the directress. In speaking
of the. importance of the "Children's
House," Miss Alexander said: THE
'Children's House has twofold inn
portance. The pedagogical import.
ance, through its method for educa.
ton of the very young, and its pro.
found social Importance, Of being 9
school within the house.
"The hitherto battling problem OF
the union of the family and school in
educational aims is solved here. II
lis a. new idea for school to be
: placed within the house, and to be
collectively owned by the parents
The parents are thus prepared when
they send their children to the com
mon schools to cooperate in the work
of education. ~
The 'Children's House is also the
first step toward the specialization OF
the house. Here the inmates find
under their own roof a place with
every advantage to leave their little
ones"
In her closing remarks Miss Alex.
ander quoted the following from DIR.
Montessori: "The 'Children's Houses
have, in fact, solved so many OF the
social and pedagogical problems in
ways which have seemed to be Uto'
plan, that they are a part Of that
modern transformation of the home
which must most surely be realized
before many years have passed. In
this way they touch directly the most
important side of the social question,
that which deals with the intimate
home life of the people"
Miss uecke Talks.
One of the most interesting talks
of the evening was that by Miss
! Claire Uecke. Miss Uecke told OF
the Montessori Method, and with the
apparatus illustrated the talk. She
spoke very highly of the Montessori
method and said that in her own work
she would not be without it. She
| showed how the children from the
first grade are taught to study. How
they are taught to button and unbut-