The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-02-01
Kindergarten
Helps for Parents
Articles Issued by the Department
of The Interior. Bureau of Education
and the
National Observation-Disclosures
AMERICAN MOTHERS
BY DR.. JENNY 3. MERRILL.

Sy Ok. JENNY =. MEnhtLL.
The phenomenal success of Ameri-
can boys at the front after an unusu-
ally short military training was not
only great cause of thankfulness, but
Indicated that American mothers
methods of discipline had not been SO
indulgent nor lax in the past as some
good critics have feared. There has
been blessing in disguise in the free
action and self-assertion that are al
lowed American children.
Fifty years ago a little book emitted
"Children's Rights" appeared in this
country. Perhaps it went too far, but
children have suffered long from too
great severity. Herbert Spencer in
England wrote of children's rights as
well as of women's. The words of pro-
gressive thinkers on both subjects were
needed. Later from Sweden, Ellen
Key sent out "The Century of the
Child" Later yet came from Italy
Doctor Montessori's cutlery against
suppression of the child by arbitrary
discipline, and her advocacy of disci-
pline biased on liberty"
Probably all of these leaders directly
or indirectly gained much of their in
spiration and guidance from Froebel,
who dared to write even in Germany,
"Follow the Child"
Never FIourished in Germany.
Froebel, the founder of the kinder
| garten, was German but not Prussian.
| Prussia soon recognized that "democ-
racy" would be the outcome of his
method and promptly suppressed it.
Many do not know that the kindergar-
ten never has flourishe6 in Germany
| Froebel was in q sense a martyr and
died disappointed with his own ma
TONS rejection of the Kindergarten
but with his "eye Of faith" he turned
hopefully towards America in which
country, he prophesied, his ideas
would flourish under democratic pro
lection and guidance.
Mothers of America, many of them
as well as teachers, have studied kin
dergarten principles for SO years anc
have again and again testified to theil
value.
"What are these principles?" Reat
Miss Emile Poulsson's Love and Law
in Child Training" This may be found
in almost any library or can b
| bought from the publishers, Milton
Bradley Co., Springfield. Mass. fo
81. It's very title suggests the kinder
| garten's principles--loye and law. hu
| not license.
4 Kindergarten discipline is loving
steady and strong, not sentimental,
weak. Kindergarten discipline prefer
positive rather than negative methods
The life of the child is not fitted will
"don'ts," for there are so many goo'
things found to do, there is little tim
for mischief.
For Mother and Child Alike.
Childish mistakes and mishaps ar
met with patience. Mother gives tn
little one time to recover himself. Self
control is her aim. Request is pre-
ferred to force. Politeness is the rul
| for mother and child alike. Both us
frequently "the two little golden keys
4 thank you and If you please
"a soft answer turneth away wrath.
"Grievous words" are avoided becaus
centuries ago it was discovered tina
they "stir up anger" There are n
loud, shrill tones, but rather quiet, de
cided emphasis, If need be.
Vain repetitlons" having proves