Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1914-12-17
ABnENE's KINDERGAR-
TEN; ITS OPPORTUNITIES
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discussions and criticisms on thu
kindergarten, which seems to b.
struggling for existence, and is OK
listing, in spite of opposition ant
lcriticism, thanks to the interest ant
efforts of a few resolute women
who know and appreciate the value
of kindergarten instruction in the
early life OF the child. Criticism
based upon ignorance of the thins
criticised, is OF no value. but rather
reflects upon the critic.
! have heard It termed foolish
ness" for the children to attend
school to play games, cut paper and
paste 1t together" II that were all
they were taught, there might be
some ground for the above criticism
but let me enumerate some OF the
things they learn, and some OF the
things they unconsciously absorb
while the teaching Is going on. In
their little play-songs, in which they
skip and hop, make gestures with
their arms, and salute each other,
they are having their first lessons
in physical culture, cultivating grace
of motion, courtesy one to another,
and at the same time. unconsciously
absorbing a taste for music OF the
highest order, for the one who pre-
sides at the piano, evidently has no
taste for "rag-time" music, and the
ear is being trained to love good
music. Observation and accuracy are
two important things taught there.
Their work tables are marked with
lines which they must follow in de-
signing the various things they make.
It is really surprising to see how
quickly the eyes Of those little tots
will detect inaccuracy, either in their
own work, or in the work OF the one
next to them. / am sure every one
will agree with me, that observation
and accuracy are very desirable ac-
uuisitions in the life of anyone, SO
If the children learned nothing else
It would be worth while TO send
them for short time where they
would learn that, but with the accd-
racy in construction comes instruc-
ton in dimension. color, form, and
many other things
Repose is one of the good things
they are taught. When they come in
from their recess of romping and
playing in the open air, they are
to "rest" for a little time.
They return to their place at the
tables and lay their head ON their
arms, on the table, and (strange as
it may sesm), actually keep still,
for the space of a minute. We older
ones know the value of repose. We
80 often see the lack of it audiences
when we are trying to hear fine mu-
tic, or an Interesting lecture or SER
non, and are annoyed by the I'M
Iuiet people around US I was sur
,rised to learn that the kindRrgar-
en- here was maintained by wolun-
airy contributions, rUmmage sales, I
ETC., for AZ a rule your /
western towns and cities are pro- |
,ressive and up to date, especially
n educational matters, and Abilene t
8 the only city l know OF (and /
ave travelled quite extensively /
where the kindergarten is not rec !
'gnized as a public necessity and I
provided for by the school beard. 1t !
S very important that Abilene !
leeds some up to date women on !,
he school board
| came from tine st&te where the "
was first introduced in Y
his country, more than forty years
go, through the philanthropy OF a 4
nan, who was interested in the wei. =
are of children. He imported teach
RS from Germany, the home of the
He watched its pro-
ress and results and was SO pleased
18th the success of his experiment
hat he endowed the school he had
and to tits mans gen
rosity, sagacity and foresight, we
We THE present system of the KIN
blessing to every child i,
tho is privileged to come under it's
raining. 1t is worth while to make
he life of a little child happy, and
you entertain any doubts of their
appiness while in the kindergarten
Jet spemd a morning with them, and
atch their faces, then II you dOuot'
sk some of the mothers what sue
IS they have trying to persuade :
,am IN remain home for q day. =