A UNIQUE EVENT

Successful Closing Exercises of the Public Kindergarten

“The Kindergarten Children invite you to their Closing on

Tuesday, December the twenty-second at 10 o’clock, 1903.”

[Welland Tribune, 25 December 1903]

Neat little dimity cards with the foregoing and a miniature drawing of an Xmas stocking filled with presents, were the invitations received by the children’s parents and a few friends.

The kindergarten being now a branch of our public educational system, there was more interest than usual taken in the Christmas closing, and it was truly a delighted audience which gathered at the Central school on Tuesday morning to see the little tots go through the different exercises and drills, the result of the term’s  training. The visitors were warmly greeted by Miss Mackie and her assistant, Miss Willson, and seated in the kindergarten room.

The kindergarten children present numbered 24, and were grouped together at two long tables at the front. On the blackboards were many beautiful and artistic colored illustrations by Miss Mackie. An Xmas tree covered with presents by the children was in one corner.

Shortly after the appointed hour the proceedings opened with a beautiful prayer by the children. Then they sang many songs all of which were descriptive of some occupation or fact, and were asked questions concerning each song, which they answered promptly and correctly. Each song was accompanied by representative motions. Singing is one of the best methods of impressing a thought on a child’s mind. The Christmas hymns taught the children about the birth of Christ, and his mission to earth. The “Good Morning” song was a very pretty one, and told of the opening of the day and the rising of the sun. Then came several songs of the approaching winter and signs thereof, such as the blackbird’s flight, etc. The appearance of Jack Frost brought out the need of warm woolen clothing. From what animal the wool is obtained, and who kept the sheep, and where and how they were kept, were among the questions asked and correctly answered. Several songs all closely connected, told of the transformation of the grain to bread. The farmer’s work in preparing the soil was first taken up, then the sowing of the seed, the growth of the grain, the harvest, the grist mill and its propelling power, the flour, and then the baker and his products. The song about Santa Claus, describing his person, occupation and manner of distributing presents, was entered into heartily by the pupils, who fairly shouted for joy. Several Christmas songs, including one about the presents the children had made throughout the term, were next sung after which the presents were taken off the tree and given to the pupils who gave them to their parents. They were neat little sachets and napkin rings and really showed wonderful skill considering the age of the pupils making them.

Marches and drills were next in order, all of which was extremely interesting to the spectators, and in which the children excelled and took great delight. Sewing cards were then distributed with outlines on them, which were traced out by the children with needle and thread.

The children were then asked what game they would like to play, and chose the ball game without hesitation. This consisted of trying to roll the ball so that they would stop in a ring in the centre of the room. Each successful effort was applauded by the children. They were then asked to pick out among the various colored balls the two colors that went best together, then to arrange them so that the colors blended, forming a rainbow. These developed the color test and taste. A test for the hearing was that one child was blindfolded, when another spoke, the former to recognize the voice. Another test was, one child was blindfolded and another left the room and the former being unmasked was to speak the name of the missing one. The art of deportment was taught in the dancing game and it was really surprising to see how well the little ones acted their parts. Other games which developed both body and mind were played but which we have not space to describe it.

A “Good Bye” song by the children closed one of the most interesting and pleasing events ever transpiring in Welland, and those who were present are now stronger than ever of the opinion that the Kindergarten under the able management of Miss Mackie, is a splendid institution for the town.