Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-08-07
Diekey Goes To Kinderuarten.

Written by Meta Faris, Assistant Spe-
cialist in Kindergarten Education, Bureau
Of Education.
Despite seedlings and spankings and pun
ishment, Dickey continued in his naughty
ways until in desperation Mrs. Simpsons
stubbOmess gave way and his father took
him TO the kindergarten and delivered him
with this remark. Hes a perfect little
devil, If you can do anything with him its
more than we can, and with these words
the stalwart six footer departed.
Children have feelings. and Dickey
was ashamed, and besides he felt strange
and lonely, and he almost cried. but there
were so many interesting things that took
his attention. He stood long time watch
ing the gold fish in the fish globe as they
swan in the clear water among the sea
weed and shells. Then he noticed the
pretty flowers, TO- the children were water
ing them. Over in the corner there was a
rocking horse and some boys were taking
turns riding il. There was a table full of
beautiful picture books and children we're
looking at these. Some boys were build
ing together on the floor. some were paint
ing. some drawing. and the little girls we're
making dresses and hats for their dolls.
Il was busy, happy crowd. and such
pretty room with curtains at the window,
blackboard. and just the kind of pictures
that little children like Dickey scarcely
knew what to do. he loneed to be one with
the children. but he did know just how to 20
about IL. While he hesitated, Patsy, a
friendly, helpful five-year-old child who
had been in kindergarten year. went up
to him. smiled and took his hand and led
him to the table where the children we're
drawing.
Now II there was anything that Dickey
liked to do. it was TO draw or write, as he
called IL. One Of his greatest offenses had
been when in an awful moment OF tempta-
ton he gave way TO a strong desire to
express himself. and had covered the newly
papered smooth yellow wall Of the living
room with an engine and many cars, and
miles and miles Of track extending almost
the length Of the room.
This invitation to draw was SO attractive
that he had readily and unthoue &C.
cepted. He remembered the exclamation
Of the first creative attempt. but oh the
painful results; a spanking and to bed
every day for a week when the other chill.
dren were playing. Dickey had never for
gotten IL. He had learned there were
places where he could not draw and nc
place or means had ever been provided
where he could. He sat down in the little
chair, just the right size. and at the incest
little table, just high enough. and there
was plenty OF large sheets of paper and
the loveliest big crayons, all colors, so he
began to draw. Patsy stayed with him a
few minutes, but he was so absorbed that
she left him to join group of little girls
He was having a wonderful time and did
not want TO stop when the kinders artener
called the children TO her. but all the other
children responded, so Dickey went too
(Such is the power Of example.)
They all went over to see the zig boat that
the boys were building and discussed how
1t could be improved. Many Of the children
had been on boats, SO they knew about
them and they talked about where they
had been and what they had done. They
talked about the different kinds Of boats,
and about the rivers and lakes and ocean,
Some Of the children had not been on
boats, but they had been on the train, aud
they told about the cities they had visited
and their experiences Dickey wanted to
tell about when he went to see his grand ,
mother and slept and ate on the train, but
he was too shy. They talked about some
Of the other work too and Dickey could
see some children could do much better
than others. and he thought perhaps il
was because they had been in kinderear-
ten longer. After this they had games
and played skippine-tae chasing each other
and had more fun. When a little boy
touched Dickey's hand he tried to skip like
the little boy and catch him. but he could
not make both Of his feet 60 right, so he
gave II up. They played the band and