Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1920-04-14
TRAINING LITTLE CITIZENS.
By Helen M. Cramp

MANY changes are impressive in
our dav, but none more so than the
great change that is taking place in
our schools and in our whole attitude
toward education It is hundred
years since Frcebel began to labor in
the interest of freer education, but
we are only beginning to apply his
principles.
The interest of children cannot be
held if they are taught in cut and
dried way. From early childhood they
should be led into joyous activity
At first, only the parents stand by to
help and sympathize, later teachers,
friends and society assist. The early
home influence is of great impor-
tance. Comenius, Froebel and Rous-
seau studied mothers. They knew
that the mother should be the first
educator, they emphasized the I'M
portance of her sympathy and care,
which, though it faltered and halted
and fell pitiably short in many plac-
es, was necessary for right start.
Ptstolozzi expressed this fact in the
words, Maternal love is the first
agent in education"
{. In the ideal school of today we
find the children choosing their own
material, directing their own stud
les, learning indirectly rather than
directly, getting their studies linked
I'D with life, looking to the teacher
for guidance, sympathy and help as
well as for actual instruction.
the school Should be. a sort of
miniature world in which the child
is prepared for life in the real world.
In a kindergarten worthy of the
name the child moves freely, though
in obedience to law. In old-time
schools of which there are far too
many, he is confined by sort OF
prison-like rigidity.
The hatred of the average child
for school is a real misfortune. For
the child's natural instinct is to learn
and know, that is why ne is always
asking questions, questions that we
in our arrogance and impatience too
often set aside.
But the school doesn't always an
swer the child's questions, doesn't al
ways prepare him for life's work,
doesn't usually make things interest
ing to him, although there is much
more vocational training than former
ly. The unknown must be linked
with the unknown. Arithmetic in the
abstract is uninteresting to any
child, but having five cents to spend
and knowing how to spend it, is
matter of practical experience.
The reason why the kindergarten
method of education is superior is
because it teaches the child through
actual experience. AS parent, then
you wisely send your child to kinder
garten. But you are not equally wise
when, later on you say, "Oh Mary's
school is all right-a schools schoo.
anyway"
We have not all the advantages of
schools where sympathy and imagl-
nation are used, and we know that
most classes are over-crowded and
that teacher gets the best results
when she works with small groups
and in the right environment. But we
all assist in moulding public opinion
that shapes the schools and in paying
the taxes that underpay teachers for
the most important work in the
world.
And until we carry the spirit of
Froebel right up from the kinder
garten through the grades and high
school and college, we cannot expect
to have the fine Towering of man.
hood and womanhood that is poten-
tial in our civilization.
If there is no kindergarten in your
town, work for the establishment of
one. For further information on the
establishment of the Kindergarten
write the National kindergarten AS
sociation, 8 West 10th Street, New
York City.