University of Northern Iowa - Old Gold Yearbook (Cedar Falls, IA)

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Miss GUNN AND KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS A VISIT TO THE KINDERGARTENH CBY H4XRIE'1'TE E1,1zAB1z'rH GUNNQ It is near the hour of nine and as we ascend Normal Hill, we meet many little chil- dren. VVhither are they going? We ask a little man of four, and he tells us proudly, To kindergarten, and in a hospitable tone says, VVon't you come? As we are led along by this lilliputian guide we gain all sorts of information about this fairy land of childhood- the kindergarten. Q It is indeed a beautiful place with its soft tinted walls, its dainty pictures and many plants, rug and sofa. The opening chord is struck, the little hands are folded, the heads bowed and all unite in a thank you prayer to God. Then favorite songs are chosen, a story told, and each child tells of some experience that has entered into his life. After this there is a march and a few games follow, then all repair to the work-room. This room is beautifully decorated in the same artistic manner, only it has many little tables and a big cupboard. Who could be lazy or indolent here? Instead of the regular work today, all are making together a paper chain for the birthday child. Ere this you may have learned that it is a custom of the kindergarten, to celebrate each birthday. The chain is completed and all gaily march to the play-room where the merriest time is had with games. You are surprised to see what good time they keep to the music and how much they know. The time for the luncheon has arrived, and the procession is headed by the birthday-child and his parents. After grace they sit down to a simple repast, the table is beautiful with its 25

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INDERGARTEN THE K

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linen, china, and flowers, crowned by the birthday-cake. After this the goodebye song is sung and homeward the little ones hasten. You must not think this is a sample of the regular routine of work because it is not, a birthday is always a red-letter day. As a result of your visit you feel younger, happier and perhaps wiser. You Find that in this weary World there is at least one little place where there is happiness unalloyed. Surely, to be in this childgarden is a rare pleasureg for here the little soul developes freely in its true atmosphere of love, happiness, and work. You prepare to go, but this is not all. You see the student teachers returning and you are warmly invited to attend the class in theory. You gladly accept and as you look around, you can not but admire the Womanly young women who are studying to be gardeners in the child-garden. Statistics are given which show a child trained in a good kindergarten completes his school course two years sooner than a child without such trainingg his work is of a liner quality and he is better equipped to meet life. Statistics are also shown which give the steady growth of the kindergarten movenment. It has passed its experimental stage and is as much a part of the school system as is the primary school. You learn that the kindergarten course comprises the three main requisites of a womanys education. It gives broad liberal culture, technical training for a practical voca- tion and fits woman for her highest destiny-motherhood. What more can be demanded from a course than that it gives you a well disciplined mind, equips you to earn a liveli- hood and prepares you to be an intelligent mother and an attractive home-maker. The class is over and you are glad that you are planning to come to the I. S. N. S. to take a course and you decide that it will be in the Kindergarten Department. THE PRIMARY TRAINING SCHOOL 26