FREE KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION.

Evening Star, Issue 11896, 26 May 1903, Page 4

FREE KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION.

The animal meeting of the above Association, held in the Town Balt this afternoon, was attended hr Mesdomes De Carle, Mackerras, A. 8. jPateraon, Stilting, W. Reynolds, D. Wright, Mason, Thomson, Gordon Macdonald, Misses Reynolds,' Bellamy, Pulton, Reid, Wimperis. Rev. Curzon-Sig-gers. Rev. W. Saunders, Archdeacon Edwards, Mr Bedford, M.H.R., Revs. Fairclough, Sinclair, Curzon-Siggers, Messrs Quick, J. W. Jago, M. Cohen, His Worship the Mayor, and others. His Worship the Mayor presided. The following report for the year was submitted and approved;— In submitting the fourteenth annual report of the Free Kindergarten Association, the Committee desire to state that, although .the year has been marked by nothing of en eventful nature, the work in the schools has been consistent and thorough, and the usual high .standard of efficiency has been maintained. The true principles of kindergarten teaching have been adhered to, and no effort has been spared to make the work bright and attractive to the children, who, at all times, take the greatest pleasure in it. It is felt,' however, that those schools are not fully appreciated by the public, as very few ever avail themselves of the opportunity to visit them and satisfy themselves that they are necessary institutions in onr midst It may be as well to state here that the doors of the class rooms am always open, and the teachers glndly welcome any who may wish to see the nature of the work that is being carried on. Such visits would prove most encouraging to both teachers and children. On the other ha-nd, it. is pleasing to state that not a few parents have shown their appreciation of the attention paid totheir* children by letters to that effect, and in some instances these have been accompanied by donations of money, although. from people of the smallest means. The “Yaralla” branch is still under the able management of Mis* Wright, assisted by Misses Anderson and Findlay, tin fortunately, fop three months of the vear Miss Wright was absent through illness. Her duties were undertaken by Miss Anderson who performed them most capably, and gave the Committee every satisfaction Miss Wright has since returned to her work, and continues to perform it in her usual bright and energetic manner. As many as 172 children have passed through the school during the vear, while there are now 80 on the roll. The Walker street School is still under the charge of Miss Peake, assisted by Miss Dale, and continues to do excellent work in that locality. The attendance has considerably increased, so much so that the service of a student from the “Yaralla” branch have been obtained. It is encouraging to know that the parents in this district recognise the value of the work that is being carried on, and it would be a distinct loss to the City if at.any future time this school were unable to continue. The attendance for the year has averaged 26, and as many os 62 have been enrolled. The closing ceremonies Were well attended, and tho interesting exercises performed by the little ones were much appointed. The halls were nicely decorated, and tho whole proceedings reflected the greatest credit on teachers and children. At tho request of the various members of Parliament who visited these schools last year, the Committee sent a petition to the House asking that the usual grant for charitable purposes bo extended to the Association, but so far as your Committee are aware no satisfactory reply has been forthcoming. It is, however, intended to renew the application. Three months ago the Pollard Company, assisted by numerous members of charitable institutions, held a fete on the Carisbrook Ground in aid of different charities, and it is hoped our share of the proceeds will augment our funds to a considerable extent. Curing the year donations of fuel and clothing have been received. Subscriptions, too, ranging from £5 to Is have been forwarded by friends of the Association, and to all. of these wo tender our sincere thanks. It is gratifying to know that two of our citizens (Mr James Allen, M.8.R., and Mr George Joachim) have already expressed their intention of continuing their support by promising an annual subscription of five guineas for three years, and the well-known Dimness firm of D. Benjamin and Co. two guineas for at least three years. It is felt that with some organised and systematic effort similar assistance could ho readily obtained from others. The future of these schools, therefore, entirely depends on the measure of support given by the public to tho Association. His Worship the Mayor (Mr Thomas Scott), who presided, said- that he know very little of kindergarten work, but he was willing to learn, and with that object had visited one of the Dunedin kindergarten schools. He had been much struck with what he had seen on that visit. The classes were divided into grades, the first of which was “ color.” That was a most important part of the education of the child, and it was surprising how little adult people knew of color who had not been trained in kinder: garten methods. The second grade was that of geometry, and although he had passed through a course of practical gometry, he felt that had he had the advantage of the teaching in the kindergarten schools it would have been beneficial to him. The third grade was that of design, and in this grade there was the grounding of the work of girls and hoys in their daily occupations. The fourth grade was that of blending colors, and in this matter he referred to the special facility of the Japanese, owing to their education, in the blending of colors. The children attending the kindergarten schools, he observed, were very small, many of them not being more than four years of age. He had always held that no child should go to or be permitted to enter a public school until it was six years of age. Children below that age should be in attendance at the kindergarten schools, and he thought the Education Dedepartment should make kindergarten methods a part of the school education. Failing the State' adopting kindergarten methods in their schools, he thought these schools should be subsidised by the Stale. —(Applause.)

—Future of the Association.— The Rev. W. Curzon-Siggers moved—- “ That, having regard to the good work done in the past by the Free Kindergarten Association in the dissemination of Proebelian aims and methods, and to the fact that there still exists in Dunedin a- large field for the Association’s operations, this meeting, having been mode aware of the financial condition of the, Association (which is such that without immediate support its work must end), cordially and earnestly commend the Association and their work to the citizens of Dunedm and suburbs, in the confident hope that their wonted liberal support to all good works will be extended to this useful philanthropic institution.” He said: Two years ago in this hall I appealed to the public for support for this Association, on the ground that their work was of a charitable and philanthropic os well as of an educational nature. On > both these grounds the Association are entitled to the sympathy and liberality of our citizens. Many of the pupils are gathered from what we may call the “byways," where, but for this Association, they might remain, to the detriment of public morals. From time to time we have been publicly assured that teachers appreciate the training given at the kindergarten schools, whilst it will be in your memory that two years ago no less an authority than Mr D. R. White told the citizens of Dunedin in this room that it was his sincere conviction that the children whom he had seen trained in the schools in which the kindergarten system was used were all ths better for that training, and that they were all the more fitted to take advantage of the opportunities offered in the public schools. This testimony (together with the observations of those citizens living in the neighborhood of the Association’s work) as to the change made in the children morally, - and in some degree physically, as well as mentally, justifies this meeting in referring b tbs resolution to the past good work of the Association. It is hardly necessary to say more than a passing word on the aims of the Association. The kindergarten' system is based upou IQontaoeofls other, yorfla^

play, which in the child is always serious ana never. frivolous. Thus those who advocate play as best for the hhild have play provided for the child under a fully-worked" kindergarten on the best lines—play that is a means of developing the growth of the brain and maintaining the health of the child. It is recognised that energy in the child must exert ijself. The kbmergarten aims at directing the energy into right channels, and uses the natural tendencies of the child to form pathways along which energy may pass, producing thoughts which lead to right actions and to self-control. AH games at home or at school must influence a child for better or worse. This system directs the child’s love of games so as to produce efforts which make tor self-con-trol and unselfishness. The physical development of the child takes place as, by the nse of his imagination, he throws himself vigorously into the games,'so that all the lime his lungs are expanding; and his muscles and limbs are developing in a way impossible under the old system of child instruction. The mind is developed by observation, perception, memory, imagination, judgment, will in a way not possible under the ordinary educational methods. Morally the child is learning to chbose .aright i y long practice of right choosing, and to do right oy continued practice in right doing. Every occupation can be used as a means for encouraging unselfishness, a sense of the interdependence of all tilings, and a sense of the beauty of service and the-obligation to serve. The advocates of the. kindergarten claim these benefits, and rightly so, as resulting from their system. Thus the Association deserve well of the citizens in disseminating Froebel’s aims and methods, and, further, merit Continued Support. That a field of work exists there can be no doubt. Apart from all other fields, so long as an alien population exists amongss us whose whole history speaks of the use of the imathe main source of information and of life-training, so long is it necessary provide.for them. On the grounds of public morals the Association can claim support. What Would become of those especially the care of this Association it is not easy to conceive—certainly the loss to :ne community would not be measured by the £l5O or so which this Association ask for annually. The past shows what the Association can do. Any observing citizen knows that a work still remains and will remain to be done, and the doing of that is now reduced to a simple question of £ s d. Can the Committee, who for vears have carried on their self-denying, disinterested labor of love for chiHlhood—for childhood as the foundation of future manhood and Womanhood—trust our citizens to support them. That is the quesMn. Arc, say, SOD prepared to give 10s a 3car, or 160 to give £l- a year, in cider to cany on this useful work! Dunedin has ab.avs been ready to respond when it is convinced of the goodness of any cause placed before it. The past history of the Association, the names of the Committee aild supporters of the Association, iKb everv-day evidence of the good work done by the Association, and the testimony of those competent to judge, are all guarantees which such a public os that of Dunedin can be satisfied with; and accordingly with some confidence this meeting can commend the Association to the*practical help of the citizens, and there is no reason to doubt ® friends of the Association will ask their friends for subscriptions, and if the Committee can put on a canvasser such as the Society for the Protection of Women and Children has, the support required tor this noblo work will be forthcoming. Mr M Cohen, in seconding the resolution, remarked that it was to be regretted that after the bazaar in Jubilee year the Executive of the Association, had refrained from making their annual appeal to the public, who had never been slow in the years before to recognise the claims of the Association. There was need for the continuance of the work, which could only be carried on by the public providing the wherewithal, and the b.:st means of getting that was to make a systematic and energetic canvass for funds among the wellwishers and friends of the movement. He hoped that the Executive would not be Discouraged by the indifference that was shown last year to their appeal for State assistance. They must keep pegging away at the parliamentarians, as" it was only a question of time when the merits of the kindergarten ns a factor in reducing the criminal population would receive just recognition. In New South Wales and in several of American States these kindergarten received assistance from the public funds, and he knew of no valid argument against the same plan being followed here. There was no occasion for him to contend at that meeting that kindergarten teaching was the true base of all education—a fact that was acknowledged by educationists all the world over. While serving the ‘community in another place he had sought to secure for Otago the services of a thoroughly tnrined kindergartner, end no one regretted more than he that that scheme, through a most unfortunate combination of circumstances, had failed. He urged them to again approach the Education Board, and seek to induce that body to import from, ray, Chicago or San Francisco one of the best kindereartners that America could spare us. Then let her be attached to the Training School, as the principal of that institution (Mr D. R. White) so earnestly desired, and her services eould easily be utilised in spreading the advantages of Froebelism among the 200 and odd schools of Otago. At most it might cost £350 a year for a term of veers, bat the expenditure would be returned tenfold, because he could rot disguise from his own mind the knowledge that true kindergarten principles had not yet been engrafted on our public school system. Ha concluded by citing illustrations in support of his contention that the New Education was making marvellous progress throughout the civilised world, and that in the United States it had been adopted as part of the public school system with such astonishing results, and wilh such marked success as to warrant us in following the lead of that progressive country in this particular matter. Addresses were also given by Mr H. D. Bedford, M.H.R., the Revs. W. Saunders, P. W. Fairelough, and Mrs W. H. Reynolds, but the lateness of the hour of meeting precludes the report of these utterances in this issue. —Election of Officers.—

The following office-bearers were elected. —President, Mrr W. H. Reynolds; vicepresidents—Mesdames Ulrich, G. L. Denfiiston, and E. G.' Edwards; treasurer. Miss Hutchison; secretary, Mrs J. W. Smith, committee^—Mesdames James Allen, Pels, Whitson, Hosking, Martin, Davidson, Joachim, Howard , Jackson, Kahlenberg, Miicasscy, E.. Thomas, R. Qilkinson, and M. Cohen, Misses Kelsey, Davidson, Gray, Burt, and Cohen; advising committee—l Messrs Jas. Allen, D. R. White, M. Cohen, and W. C. AJlnntt; honorary surgeons, Drs Colquhoun and Martin.