Show kindergarten KINDER dARTEN emphasizes CHARACTER EDUCATION 10 children of five to six years of age are naturally very active undirected they often acquire unwholesome habits of activity they learn the less desirable as readily as the more desirable with the training given them in the kindergarten they are led to acquire efficient and wholesome habits economically the kindergarten does not aim to teach them to read but it does train them in courtesy y cooperation and kindliness modes of conduct that are more important than special skill in the regular school subjects it is here as gesell says that they learn the alphabet of life this alphabet consists of activities that are more valuable than learning letters many an illiterate man has achieved greatness but every greatman great man has developed personal character traits and ideals ideala that lifted him aboyo his follows fellows initiative self reliance and self determination mi are among these qualities of of character that usually are found in great men kindergarten training develops these qualities that statesmen are becoming aware of the importance of caring properly fa for r young children both and mentally was shown at the recent white house conference on child health and protection speaking before this conference president hoover H said these questions child health and protection are complicated problems requiring much learning and and we need have great concern over this matter lot let no one believe that these are questions which should not stir a nation that they are below the dignity of statesmen of government it we could have but one generation of properly born trained educated and healthy children a thousand other problems of government would vanish the representatives at that conference enco suggests a nineteen point program in child training it was discovered that fewer than a fourth of tile the children between five and six years of age in tho the united states receive adequate early training hence one ona of he points in the recommended program reads as follows anything that can be done publicly or privately to make state and municipal organizations aware 0 of the em of oc the kindergarten and facilitate its development as a part of the public school will receive the hearty endorsement of the committee the foundation for character good or bad la Is laid early in life As the twig lp ip bent the tree inclines the kindergarten prevents the adverse bending of the child twig it trains the child jn in uprightness in working with others the child learns learna cooperation and self control ho he develops moral courage and civic pride in short he a acquires those habits and traits of character that prepare him to take his bis place later as an intelligent Intel ll citizen in a democratic social community |